Abstract

In this study, sorghum, foxtail millet and proso millet extracts were evaluated by various in vitro anti-oxidant assays, including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, reducing power by Fe³⁺- Fe²⁺ transformation, and anti-lipid peroxidative activity by ferric thiocyanate. The sorghum extract contained high amount of phenolic compounds as well as a high level of anti-oxidant activity compared with foxtail millet and proso millet extracts. In addition, among the sorghum cultivar, me-susu (Sorghum dochna var. technicum, Snowden) extracts exhibited high levels of free radical scavenging activity, anti-oxidant capacity and anti-lipid peroxidative activity compared with α-tocopherol. Taken together, these findings suggest that me-susu extracts can be considered good sources of natural anti-oxidants.

Key words: Anti-oxidant activity, foxtail millet, proso millet, sorghum.

Abbreviation

BHA, Butylated hydroxyanisole; BHT, butylated hydroxytoluene; DPPH, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; FRAP, ferric-reducing ability power; TBHQ, tertiary butylhydroquinone; ROS, reactive oxygen species.