Invitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential of Panicum Miliaceum Microgreens: A Novel Functional Food

Background: Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) is a nutritionally important minor millet known for its health-promoting properties; however, limited information is available on the bioactive potential of its microgreens. Microgreens represent an early growth stage of plants and are reported to contain higher levels of phytochemicals compared to mature grains. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant potential of proso millet microgreens and to evaluate whether microgreens exhibit superior antioxidant activity when compared to edible grains. Proso millet microgreens were cultivated under controlled conditions, harvested at the appropriate growth stage, and subjected to phytochemical extraction. The antioxidant activity was assessed using standard in vitro assays, including radical scavenging and reducing power methods. The results of DPPH Radical scavenging assay and ABTS assay of sample demonstrated that proso millet microgreens possessed significantly enhanced antioxidant activity, which may be attributed to the increased accumulation of phenolic compounds and other bioactive constituents during early plant development. These findings indicate that proso millet microgreens have greater antioxidant potential than edible grains and may serve as a promising functional food with health-promoting benefits.