Comprehensive Review on Pharmacognostic And Phytochemical Evaluation of Panicum Sumatrense

Little Millet (Panicum Sumatrense) is a type of underutilized small millet that has emerged in the scientific community in recent times because of its nutritional value, tolerance to adverse environmental conditions, and health benefits. The main objective of this review is to gather and analyze all the available data on the nutritional content, pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and traditional processing impact on little millet. Little Millet is a rich source of dietary fibers, vitamins, and minerals, and contains several bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and flavonoids, that are responsible for its antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cardio-protective activities. It is also a rich source of several antinutritional factors, such as phytates and tannins, that may influence the nutritional content of the food product. Various traditional processing methods, such as soaking, germination, fermentation, roasting, and milling, play a significant role in improving the nutritional content and antinutritional factors in the food product. In addition, several solvent extraction methods are responsible for improving the content of phytochemicals in the food product. Pharmacognostic evaluation, such as macro- and microscopic analysis, as well as physicochemical parameters, is necessary for proper identification. Little millet has immense potential as a functional food ingredient and nutraceutical, which supports the modernization of the diet and encourages the use of little millet for better nutritional security and for the advancement of sustainable agriculture.