Comparative Phytochemical Analysis in Finger Millet Germplasm from Different Districts of Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Finger millet is a nutritionally important cereal crop that can grow under diverse environmental conditions and contributes to food and nutritional security. The present study qualitatively evaluated major phytochemical constituents in 12 finger millet germplasm samples collected from 12 districts of Uttarakhand, India. Seed samples were dried, powdered, and extracted by agitated cold maceration using methanol at a 1:10 (w/v) solid-to-solvent ratio for 24 h at room temperature and 100 rpm. The extracts were screened for alkaloids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, terpenoids, proteins, and phenolic compounds using standard qualitative tests. The intensity of the observed reactions was classified as absent, slightly positive, positive, or strongly positive. Proteins were detected in all treatments, while the occurrence and reaction intensity of the other phytochemical groups varied among germplasm samples. T6 showed strongly positive reactions for alkaloids, tannins, proteins, and phenolic compounds and therefore displayed the most pronounced qualitative phytochemical profile among the evaluated treatments. In contrast, T7 showed no detectable carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, or terpenoids and exhibited the lowest phytochemical diversity. Phenolic compounds were strongly positive in T6, T10, and T11, whereas terpenoids were detected in T1, T2, T3, T10, T11, and T12. These findings demonstrate qualitative variation in major phytochemical constituents among finger millet germplasm collected from different districts of Uttarakhand and provide baseline information for further evaluation of nutritionally relevant germplasm.