Hydrothermal treatment of pearl millet grains:Effects on nutritional composition,antinutrients and flour properties

Pearl millet(Pennisetum glaucum)is one of the major millets with high nutritional properties.This crop exhibits exceptional resilience to drought and high temperatures.However,the processing of pearl millet poses a significant challenge due to its high lipid content,enzyme activity,and presence of antinutrients.Consequently,it becomes imperative to enhance the quality and prolong the shelf life of pearl millet flour by employing suitable technologies.Hydrothermal treatment in the food industry has long been seen as promising due to its potential to reduce microbial load,inactivate enzymes,and improve nutrient retention.This study aims to investigate the effects of hydrothermal treatment on the quality characteristics of pearl millet.The independent variables of the study were soaking temperature(35,45,55℃),soaking time(2,3,4 h),and steaming time(5,10,15 min).Treatment conditions had a statistically significant effect on nutrient retention.Major antinutrients like tannins and phytates were reduced by 0.99% to 5.94% and 0.36% to 6.00%,respectively,after the treatment.Lipase activity decreased significantly up to 10% with the treatment conditions.The findings of this study could potentially encourage the use of pearl millet flour in the production of various food items and promote the application of hydrothermal treatment in the field of food processing.

Gene expression profiles in early leaf of rice(Oryza sativa)and foxtail millet(Setaria italica)

Plant anatomy is patterned early during leaf development which suggests studying the spatial–temporal transcriptomes of primordia will help identify critical regulative and functional genes.We successfully isolated the leaf primordia tissues from the C3grass rice and the C4grass foxtail millet by laser capture microdissection(LCM)and studied the gene expression throughout leaf developmental stages.Our data analysis uncovered the conserved expression patterns of certain gene clusters both in rice and foxtail millet during leaf development.We revealed genes and transcription factors involved in vein formation,stomatal development,and suberin accumulation.We identified 79 candidate genes associated with functional regulation of C4anatomy formation.Screening phenotype of the candidate genes revealed that knock-out of a putative polar auxin transport related gene NAL1 resulted significantly reduced veinal space in rice leaf.Our present work provides a foundation for future analyses of genes with novel functions in grasses and their role in leaf development,in particular the role in leaves with a contrasting C3vs.C4biosynthetic pathway.

Study of the Constraints of Millet Production (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and the Peasant Perception of Biological Control in the Tahoua Region

Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is the Sahelian crop par excellence due to its adaptation to the particular production conditions in this region. Unfortunately, in recent years this crop has been threatened by very strong parasitic pressure and drought during the production period. The objective of this study is to analyze the main constraints of millet production and the solutions known to producers. A survey was carried out in November 2022 with a sample of 298 producers in five municipalities in the Tahoua region. The main constraints are drought and pressure from crop pests (locust, millet ear miner, floricultural insects) according to 57.9% of respondents. The millet ear miner is the most formidable pest according to 55% of respondents. Thus, the average yield obtained in a year of good production without the leafminer is 194 kg/ha and that obtained in a year of millet ear leafminer is around 27 kg to 43 kg/ha depending on the municipality. The yield obtained this last campaign after the attack of this leafminer varies from 64 to 77 kg/ha depending on the municipalities compared to a potential yield of over 1000 kg/ha. More than half of producers (58.1%) are unaware of the existence of biological control compared to only 12.5% who are aware of this alternative method. Work to popularize this technology is necessary in the five municipalities and the entire region in general.

Technological advancements in millet dehulling and polishing process: An insight into pretreatment methods, machineries and impact on nutritional quality

Millets are widely recognized for their nutritional significance;however, the methods employed for their processing are currently lacking. This article primarily focuses on the advanced technologies and progressions in millet dehulling and polishing. These technologies operate based on the fundamental principles of compression-shearing, abrasion-friction, and centrifugal-impact forces. Processing of millets can be challenging because of the physical characteristics and tight attachment of hull and bran to the endosperm. However, several dehullers have been designed to solve this problem for different kinds of millets. In addition, the nutritional and anti-nutritional characteristics undergo alterations due to both dehulling and polishing processes. These alterations are thoroughly examined and discussed in this article. Specifically, anti-nutrients such as tannins and phytate are predominantly found in the outer pericarp of the grain and experience a reduction after undergoing dehulling and polishing. The nutritional properties are also subjected to a reduction;however, this reduction can be mitigated by subjecting the grains to certain pretreatments before dehulling and polishing. These treatments serve to enhance dehulling efficiency and nutrient digestibility while simultaneously reducing the presence of anti-nutrients. Novel thermal and non-thermal methodologies such as microwave, hydrothermal, high-pressure processing, and ohmic heating can be employed for processing millets, thereby diminishing the loss of nutrients. Additional research can be carried out to investigate their impact on the dehulling and polishing of millets.

Gut microbiota remodeling drived by dietary millet protein prevents the metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome(Met S)is a chronic disease associated with the disturbance of gut microbiota homeostasis.Metabolites derived from gut microbes play essential roles in Met S prevention and therapy.Here,we focused on the inhibitory effect of the extract of millet bran protein(EMBP)on a high-fat diet(HFD)-induced Met S,aiming to identify gut microbiota and their metabolites that involve in the anti-Met S activity of EMBP.The obesity,chronic inflammation,insulin resistance in Met S mouse models were abolished after EMBP treatment.The protective mechanism of EMBP against HFD-induced Met S may depend on improved gut barrier function.Using microbiome analysis,we found that EMBP supplementation improved gut microbiome dysbiosis in Met S mice,specifically upregulating Bacteroides acidifaciens.The fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)also demonstrated this phenomenon.In addition,metabolomic analysis showed that EMBP mediates metabolic profiling reprogramming in Met S mice.Notably,a microbiota-derived metabolite,gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),is enriched by EMBP.In addition,exogenous GABA treatment produced a similar protective effect to EMBP by improving NRF2-dependent gut barrier function to protect HFDinduced Met S.The results suggest that EMBP suppress host Met S by remodeling of gut microbiota as an effective candidate for next-generation medicine food dual purpose dietary supplement to intervene in MetS.

SiRAP2-12,a Positive Regulatory Factor,Effectively Improves the Waterlogging Tolerance of Foxtail Millet(Setaria italica)

Foxtail millet(Setaria italica)growth was inhibited because of waterlogging stress,which has caused yield reduc-tion.ERF family plays an important role to plant adversity tolerance.In our study,we obtained 19,819 differential expressed genes(DEGs)between the two treatments based on the RNA-seq sequencing of foxtail millet of water-logging stress.Furthermore,a total of 28 ERF family members were obtained,which have a complete open read-ing frame.We studied the evolution and function of SiERF family and how they affected the waterlogging tolerance.It was found that SiERF1A/B/C(GenBank ID:OR775217,OR775219,OR775218)and SiRAP2-12(GenBank ID:OR775216)have similar functions to the known waterlogging tolerance genes of other plants.Among them,the SiRAP2-12 expression was obviously significantly up-regulated in foxtail millet after 5d water-logging stress.After SiRAP2-12 was silenced,the activity of defense enzymes in millet decreased significantly.In details,superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and peroxidase(POD),the osmotic regulator proline(Pro),and the activity of the anaerobic respiratory enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH)content were decreased by 78.61%,29.52%,79.95%,19.41%and 54.77%,respectively.In contrast,the relative electrical conductivity contents(REC),malondialdehyde(MDA),and hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))of the foxtail millet subjected to virus-induced gene silencing clearly increased by 1.03-fold,36.09%,and 15.21%,respectively.The content of sodium(Na^(+))in the SiRAP2-12-silenced foxtail millet also increased,but that of potassium(K^(+))decreased.Interestingly,we found that ethylene content was significantly reduced.Further,the SiAOC1 expression,an essential gene for ethylene synthesis,was inhibited in SiRAP2-12-silenced foxtail millet after waterlogging stress.Taken together,we hypothesized that SiRAP2-12 might be a positive regulator of millet tolerance to waterlogging stress.

Effects of Seeding Date and Density on Yield and Agronomic Traits of Millet : A Case Study of Wangu 098 Variety of Millet

[Objectives]To find out a suitable cultivation technique of Wangu 098 in Nanyang area,speed up the popularization,demonstration and application of Wangu 098,and provide a theoretical and practical basis for adjusting the planting structure and realizing the matching of improved varieties and methods.[Methods]The new self-bred millet variety Wangu 098 was used as the material,and the two-factor split zone experimental design was adopted.The effects of different sowing dates and densities on the yield,growth period and agronomic characters of millet were studied.[Results]The interaction of seeding date and density had a great effect on the yield and plant traits of millet.Millet yield was significantly and positively correlated with plant height,panicle length,single panicle weight,panicle grain weight and tiller number.[Conclusions]The reasonable combination of seeding date and density could give full play to the yield potential of millet.According to the experimental results and cultivation experience,the suitable seeding date of millet in Nanyang area is in the first and middle ten days of June,and the best density is about 750000 plants/ha.However,after June 30,the seeding millet did not tiller,so the density should be increased to more than 900000 plants/ha to obtain higher yield.In terms of cultivation and management,timely seeding,reasonable close planting,and coordination of vegetative growth and reproductive growth can make the plant tall and strong,panicle long and thick,and improve the yield of millet.

Millet Origin Identification Model Based on Near-infrared Spectroscopy

[Objectives]This study was conducted to clarify the difference of millet from different producing areas in near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)modeling.[Methods]Millet samples from six different regions were collected for NIRS analysis,and an origin identification model based on BP neural network was established.The competitive adaptive reweighted sampling(CARS)algorithm was used to extract characteristic wavelength variables,and a CARS-BP model was established on this basis.Finally,the CARS-BP model was compared with support vector machine(SVM),partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS)and KNN models.[Results]The characteristic wavelengths were extracted by CARS,and the number of variables was reduced from 1845 to 130.The discrimination accuracy of the CARS-BP model for the samples from six producing areas reached 98.1%,which was better than SVM,PSL and KNN models.[Conclusions]NIRS can quickly and accurately identify the origin of millet,providing a new method and way for the origin identification and quality evaluation of millet.

Polyphenol from foxtail millet bran alleviates experimental colitis in mice by remodulating intestinal fungal community

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic relapsing-remitting systemic disease of the gastrointestinal tract,characterized by an inflammatory process.Gut mycobiota community dysbiosis has been reported that is closely related to the development of IBD.Our previous findings indicated that polyphenol of the inner shell(BPIS)from foxtail millet bran could restore the gut microbiome and inhibit the progress of colorectal cancer(CRC).In the present study,we studied the anti-inflammatory potential of BPIS in the dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced mouse colitis model.Data suggested that BPIS alleviated experimental colitis by restoring body weight,colonic length and protecting the epithelial architecture from damage by DSS.Moreover,we found that BPIS strengthened the gut barrier function and inhibited the activation of Wnt1/β-catenin pathway.Gene sequence analysis indicated that BPIS remodeled the overall structure of the gut mycobiota from colitis mice toward that of the normal counterparts,including 1 phylum and 9 genera.Interestingly,BPIS significantly increased the abundance of Aspergillus ruber.It further verified that BPIS significantly promoted the growth of A.ruber in vitro.Collectively,BPIS has great potential to develop into an effective against IBD drug.

Performance Evaluation of Novel Eco-Materials Composed of Millet Husks, Rice Husks, and Polystyrene

Managing agricultural waste and expanded polystyrene (EPS) poses significant environmental and economic challenges. This study aims to create composites from millet husks, rice husks, and recycled EPS, using a manufacturing method that involves dissolving the polystyrene in a solvent followed by cold pressing. Various particle sizes and two binder dosages were investigated to assess their influence on the physico-mechanical properties of the composites. The mechanical properties obtained range from 2.54 to 4.47 MPa for the Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and from 686 to 1400 MPa for the Modulus of Elasticity in Bending (MOE). The results indicate that these composites have potential for applications in the construction sector, particularly for wood structures and interior decoration. Moreover, surface treatments could enhance their durability and mechanical properties. This research contributes to the valorization of agricultural and plastic waste as eco-friendly and economical construction materials.

Evaluation of Phytochemical Analysis and Total Phenol Content of Proso Millet and Barnyard Millet

Whole grains of proso and barnyard millets were sequentially extracted using different solvents(hexane,chloroform,ethyl acetate,and methanol).Phytochemical analysis was performed qualitatively,and the total phenolic content in the extracts of proso and barnyard millets was quantified.Alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were identified in all solvent extracts of both millets.Anthraquinone and glycosides yielded negative results in all solvent extracts of both millets.Among all the solvent extracts,methanol extracts of proso and barnyard millets showed the presence of major compounds such as flavonoids,terpenoids,amino acids,tannins,and phenolics compounds.The maximum amount of phenols was found in methanolic extracts of proso and barnyard millets(0.669±0.003 and 0.625±0.003),followed by the chloroform extract of proso and barnyard millets(0.284±0.002 and 0.257±0.003).The minimum amount of phenolics was found in the acetone extract of proso and barnyard millets.The methanol extract of both millets showed the presence of major compounds with high phenolic content.

Study on Safe Dosage of Imazethapyr for an Imazethapyr Resistant Millet Variety and Its Effect on Weed Control

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the safe dosage of imazethapyr for an imazethapyr resistant millet variety and its effect on weed control. [Method] The Imazethapyr resistant millet ＂M1508＂ was used as the experimental material and the experiment was arranged in a split plot design with two factors： herbicide application time and herbicide dosage. Application time was taken as the main plot with six treatments： A1 （preemergence treatment）, A2 （postemergence treatment on the 3rd d）, A3 （postemergence treatment on the 6th d）, A4 （postemergence treatment on the 9th d）, A5 （postemergence treatment on the 12th d）, A6 （postemergence treatment on the 15th d）; spraying dosage（B） with nine treatments： B1 （0 ml/hm2 , taking water as control）, B2 （750 ml/hm2 ）, B3 （1 125 ml/hm2 ）, B4 （1 500 ml/hm2 ）, B5 （2 250 ml/hm2 ）, B6 （3 000 ml/hm2 ）, B7 （4 500 ml/hm2 ）, B8 （6 000 ml/hm2）, B9 （7 500 ml/hm2 ）; water was added at 675 kg/hm2 . [Result] Imazethapyr showed a good herbicidal effect, and the imazethapyr resistant new variety M1508 also had a high drug resistance; the dosage range of 750 -7 500 ml/hm2 was safe for millet; considering the weed control efficacy, the yield and weeding cost comprehensively, postemergence treatment on the 6th day at 1 500 -2 250 ml/hm2 was the best for herbicide application. [Conclusion] Matched chemical weeding techniques to imazethapyr resistant millet varieties were preliminarily identified, and the efficacy of imazethapyr on weed control and its security on millet were investigated, providing references for the application and promotion of imazethapyr resistant millet varieties.

Effects of Different Tillage Techniques on Yield and Water Use Efficiency in Broomcorn Millet

[Objective] The effects of different tillage techniques on dry matter accu- mulation, soil water content, water use efficiency and yield of broomcom millet were studied. [Method] With Jinsu 9 as an experiment material, the effects of deep tillage, traditional tillage and no tillage and rotary tillage on dry matter accumulation, soil water content, water use efficiency and yield of broomcom millet were investi- gated. [Result] Dry matter accumulation rate and accumulated amount were signifi- cantly higher in the deep tillage, no tillage and rotary tillage treatments than in the conventional tillage treatment, and the highest in the deep tillage treatment. The soil water content of the deep tillage treatment at 0-100 cm was higher than those of other tillage techniques, deep tillage also exhibited the highest soil water storage, and water use efficiency values were in order of deep tillage〉rotary tillage〉no tillage〉conventional tillage. The deep tillage treatment also showed the highest grain weight per spike, 1 000-grain weight and yield, while conventional tillage exhibited the lowest values, indicating that deep tillage is most beneficial to improvement of yield and water use efficiency of broomcom millet. [Conclusion] This study provides a scientific basis for water use efficiency of broomcorh millet in its main producing areas.

Chemical Control of Herbicide Monosulfuron Plus Propazine 44% WP against Weeds in Millet Fields and Study on Factors Influencing Yield of Millet

[Objective] The paper was to resolve the poor efficacy or phytotoxicity problems in promotion of herbicide monosulfuron plus propazine 44% WP. [Method] Using orthogonal test and Duncan＇s new multiple range statistical analysis with four factors four levels and three factors two levels, the effects of factors such as herbi- cide dose, irrigation water volume, quality of soil preparation and soil moisture content on chemical control of monosulfuron plus propazine 44% WP against weeds and millet yield were compared in the test. [Result] Seven factors all had great impact on control effect of monosulfuron plus propazine 44% WP against weeds, of which her- bicide dose, irrigation water volume, quality of soil preparation and soil moisture content were the most important factors affecting millet yield. According to millet yield and economic benefit, the optimal scheme to ensure safe, efficient and economic control of monosulfuron plus propazine 44% WP against weeds was as follows： the dose of monosulfuron plus propazine 44% WP was 1 800 g/hm2, the soil was treat- ed after sowing and before seedling emergence; the soil should be smooth and sol- id; the soil moisture should reach 15%; the fields should not be irrigated after herbi- cide application, and the damage of weeds in millet fields could be effectively con- trolled within 45 d during high efficacy duration, especially the damage of dicotyledonous weeds. [Conclusion] The study provided useful information for comprehensive technology of weeds control and ensuring high yield and good harvest of millet.

Identification and Analysis of Mature Plant Type Mutants of M_1 Generation Foxtail Millet Changnong35 Treated with EMS Mutagenesis

[Objective] The aim was to identify the mutants of millet Changnong35 induced by different concentrations of EMS, so as to construct a millet mutant library. [Method] Foxtail millet cultivar Changnong35 which is widely used in agricultural production, was treated with 0.8% and 1.0% EMS; and then seven traits of mutants were investigated analyzed, to classify the mutants into different groups. [Result] 282 mutants in the M1 generation related to plant type were obtained, of which, 100 mutant plants treated with 0.8% EMS can be divided into 10 groups; 182 mutant plants obtained by using 1.0% EMS can be divided into 17 groups. The analysis results of the mature plant type traits of the M1 Generation showed that, plant height, diameter of stem under spike, diameter of the first internode under spike and internode number of the mutants treated with 1.0% EMS were significantly different from those of control, while those of mutants treated with 0.8% EMS did not show significant difference from those of control. [Conclusion] The inducing with 1.0% EMS was more conducive to obtain a large number and different types of mutants from Changnong35.

Comprehensive Assessment of Drought Resistance of Proso Millet Germplasm Resources in Shanxi

In order to clarify drought resistance of proso millet applied in field production in Shanxi, we identified its drought resistance during the whole growth period and measured nine traits, including plant height, panicle length, stem diameter, panicle weight, grain weight per spike, straw weight per plant, node numbers of main stem, 1 000-grain weight and effective panicles, under different treatments. Principal component analysis and stepwise regression analysis were used for comprehensive evaluation of drought resistance during the whole growth period and screening the drought index. The results showed that there were correlations among 9 phenotypic traits. The coefficient of variation of panicle weight and straw weight per plant sharply reduced under normal water supply and drought stress. Landrace ＂yellow millet＂ had the strongest drought resistance（D =0.87）, integrated drought D value and membership function value of yield had significant correlation（r =0.515 9, P〈0.05）. Panicle weight and straw weight per plant had significant impact on drought resistance and could be taken as comprehensive indexes of drought resistance identification in growth period.

Current Status and Perspective Development of Broomcorn Millet Production in China

[Objective] This paper analyzed present status of broomcorn millet produc- tion in China, including cultivation methods, fertilization utilization, diseases, insect pests and disasters, machinery development, planting benefit and other aspects. [Method] The corn millet data reported by China Industrial and Technological Re- search System of Millet in 2011 were analyzed by descriptive statistical analysis of EXCEL. [Result] The results show that 17 678.57 kg/ha of farm manure, 155.77 kg/ha of urea, 259.5 kg/ha of compound fertilizer, 203.13 kg/ha of phosphate fertilizer and 75 kg/ha of potash fertilizer were used in China; the national mechanization degree of broomcorn millet production is lower than 30% in all; the average income of broomcorn millet production is 10 503.33 yuan/ha, and the VCR is 2.64; most broomcorn millet producing areas are affected by mild pests and diseases, very few are affected by mild and moderate pests and diseases, and the impact of natural disasters is the lightest. [~onclusien] Currently fertilizer utilization for broomcorn millet is proper but the mechanization level and planting benefit are low, natural disasters, pests and diseases are not severe; finally the authors proposed some suggestions on the fertilizer utilization, mechanization production, benefit increasing, disaster warning, disease and insect controlling and government policy-making for broomcorn millet production.

Technical Regulation of Foxtail Millet Production by Combining Machinery and Agronomy

In order to solve the problems of low production efficiency,great loss and low yield,Millet Research Institute of Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences integrated the plastic film mulching technique and mechanized production technique,forming a foxtail millet production technique combining machinery and agronomy.The foxtail millet production technique combining machinery and agronomy regulates millet production from the links of soil preparation,fertilization,variety selection,seeding,intertillage and fertilization and harvest,so as to achieve the effects of promoting the matching between agro-machinery and agronomy,improving the level of millet production mechanization,realizing light simplified production and saving labor cost.This technical regulation has a broad application prospect.

Proso millet醇溶蛋白调节小鼠血清胆固醇代谢的作用及其机理

通过比较分别饲喂不同蛋白源(酪蛋白、大豆分离蛋白、Proso m illet醇溶蛋白)饲料的小鼠血清总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-c)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-c)、甘油三酯(TG)浓度,旨在评价Proso m illet醇溶蛋白对小鼠胆固醇代谢的特定作用,并通过体外实验探讨其作用机理。结果显示,以Prosom illet醇溶蛋白(添加1.83%Lys和0.23%Trp)为唯一氮源的小鼠日粮对TC、TG无明显作用,却能显著提高小鼠血清HDL-c浓度(P<0.05),降低小鼠动脉硬化指数(AI)。但在体外其并不能抑制羟甲基戊二酸单酰辅酶A(HMG-CoA)还原酶的活性,即不能直接抑制胆固醇的合成,所以,其对胆固醇代谢的调节作用另有其他途径。

Genetic Differences and Selection of Major Nutritional Quality Characters in Millet

[Objective] The aim was to enhance specificity and efficiency of quality breeding of millet. [Method] Difference analysis, correlation analysis, principal compo- nent analysis, and path analysis were conducted on nutritional quality characters of 29 millet varieties. [Result] Variance coefficients of nutritional quality characters among different varieties were in descending order of crude protein 〉 crude fiber 〉 fat 〉 water 〉 total carbohydrate. The results of correlation analysis suggested that crude protein exhibited extremely significant negative correlation with total carbohydrate （correlation coefficient of -0.822 4） and significantly negative correlation with fat （correlation coefficient of -0.380 7）; the rest characters showed no significant correla- tion. In addition, according to PCA and path analysis, four characters, including crude protein, fat, total carbohydrate and crude fiber, determined 97.35% of variance of nutritional quality and could be taken as references for selection of breeding ma- terials, with a determination coefficient of 1.000 0. Fat and carbohydrate were typical nutritional quality characters of breeding materials, which should be selected in low generation. However, crude protein and crude fiber should be selected for millet in high generation. [Conclusion] The research provides references for breeding of new millet varieties with high nutritional quality.