Nutritional composition of Sri Lankan Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) varieties

Abstract

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is commonly cultivated and consumed in Sri Lanka since ancient times. Considering the scarcity of scientific information on Sri Lankan finger millet varieties (FMV), including their nutritional composition, this study was undertaken to quantify the proximate and mineral compositions of locally grown FMV, namely Ravi, Rawana and Oshada. Samples were collected from Field Crop Research and Development Center, Mahailluppallama. Moisture, ash, protein, fat, crude fiber and mineral (Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Fe and Zn) contents were determined according to AOAC (2012) methods. Significant differences (p<0.05) in ash percentages were observed, ranging from 2.95 ± 0.04 to 3.22 ± 0.06. Protein, fat, crude fiber and total carbohydrate percentages ranged from 8.13 ± 0.13 to 8.74 ± 0.71, 1.40 ± 0.06 to 1.42 ± 0.07, 3.77 ± 0.19 to 3.84 ± 0.03 and 86.92 ± 0.78 to 87.24 ± 0.22 respectively, with no significant differences (p>0.05). Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for Na, Mg, Fe, Zn and P contents which ranged from 10.26 ± 0.11 to 13.44 ± 0.01, 124.23 ± 2.46 to 161.34 ± 0.37, 3.29 ± 0.04 to 3.85 ± 0.06, 1.79 ± 0.02 to 1.96 ± 0.01 and 315.15 ± 4.17 to 336.79 ± 0.63 mg/100 g respectively, except for K and Ca which ranged from 404.31 ± 7.45 to 412.66 ± 5.75 and 340.32 ± 4.92 to 353.47 ± 1.44 mg/100 g respectively. These findings indicated that Sri Lankan FMV are good sources of protein, minerals and crude fiber when compared with rice.