Nutritionally Important Components of Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) belongs to one of the first cultivated plants. Although the crop is traditionally grown, especially in Asia and from European countries through to Russia, nowadays it has become a new alternative crop and a new raw material for food production in many developed countries. Also changes of climatic conditions can support the growth of this drought-resistant plant. Millet products have found use in diets of patients with celiac diseases because the protein complex does not content gluten-forming proteins. While the protein is deficient in lysine like common cereals, proso millet has higher component of essential amino acids than barley, oat, rye and wheat. Therefore millet protein together with other proteins could be a basis for the development of new foods. Grains of proso millet are a rich source of starch, trace elements, dietary fibre and vitamins. Seeds also contain components with healing benefits, which decrease the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in blood and injury to the liver. Phenolic compounds like antioxidants and betaglucans are present, too. However compounds decreasing the nutritional value of the foodstuff like tannins, phytates or oxalates are included. The allergenic responses to proso millet are rare but have also been established. This review focusses on the knowledge of the chemical composition and some characteristics important for processing millet and its utilization for new products. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________