Bioactivities and Antiradical Properties of Millet Grains and Hulls

Antioxidant activities of phenolic extracts of kodo and pearl millet whole grains, dehulled grains, and hulls were examined by monitoring inhibition of radical-induced DNA scission, human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and phospholipid liposome oxidation. Total phenolic content (TPC), hydroxyl and peroxyl radical inhibition, and antiproliferative activities against HT-29 cells were also determined. Major hydroxycinnamic acids in dehulled grains and hulls were identified and quantified using HPLC. Phenolic extract of kodo millet exhibited higher inhibition activities against oxidation of LDL cholesterol and liposome than that of pearl millet. All phenolic extracts exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of DNA scission. The TPC of hulls of kodo and pearl millets were 3 times higher than those of their corresponding whole grains. At the end of 96 h of incubation, kodo millet extracts inhibited cell proliferation in the range of 75-100%. Antioxidant activities of phenolic extracts were in the order hull > whole grain > dehulled grain. Dehulling reduced the antioxidant potential of whole millet grains. Ferulic and p-coumaric acids were the major hydroxycinnamic acids, and their contents ranged from 17.8 to 1685 mu g/g defatted meal and from 3.5 to 680 mu g/g defatted meal, respectively. Dehulled grains, as well as the hull fraction, may serve as potential sources of nutraceutical and functional food ingredients in health promotion.