Foxtail millet: nutritional and eating quality, and prospects for genetic improvement

Abstract

Foxtail millet is a minor yet important crop in some areas of the world, particularly northern China. It has strong adaptability to abiotic stresses, especially drought, and poor soil. It also has high nutritional value. Foxtail millet is rich in essential amino acids, fatty acids and minerals, and is considered to be one of the most digestible and non-allergenic grains available and has significant importance for human health. Given foxtail millet's ability to adapt to abiotic stresses associated with climate change, it is more important than ever to develop breeding strategies that facilitate the increasing demand for high quality grain that better satisfies consumers. Here we review research on foxtail millet quality evaluation, appearance, cooking and eating quality at the phenotypic level. We review analysis of the main nutrients in foxtail millet, their relationships and the biochemical and genetic factors affecting their accumulation. In addition, we review past progress in breeding this regionally important crop, outline current status of breeding of foxtail millet, and make suggestions to improve grain quality.

Genetic Variation of Physicochemical Properties and Digestibility of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) Landraces of Taiwan

“…The starch content of foxtail millet ranged from 65.9% to 73.1%, while those of three rice cultivars ranged from 88.9 to 91.1% (Table 2). Starch contents of rice varieties were significantly higher than foxtail millets regardless of AC levels, consistent with previous studies [4,38].…”

Identification and expression analysis of Shaker K+ channel genes in millet (Setaria italica) under abiotic stresses

“…Foxtail millet is a Poaceae crop with strong environmental adaptability. The high abiotic stress tolerance of millet leads to its wildly cultivated in Asia and Africa (Peng and Zhang, 2020; He et al, 2015). In 2012, the genome of millet was sequenced, making it possible to identify genes from millet and study their functions (Bennetzen et al, 2012; Zhang et al, 2012).…”

“…In 2012, the genome of millet was sequenced, making it possible to identify genes from millet and study their functions (Bennetzen et al, 2012; Zhang et al, 2012). Furthermore, its relatively small genome makes millet as a promising C4 model plant (He et al, 2015). Previous research from our group has analyzed the role of SNARE proteins under drought stress in millet (Wang et al, 2021).…”

Foxtail millet: a potential crop to meet future demand scenario for alternative sustainable protein

“…In recent years, the focus of research has revolved around the preparation, characterization, and in‐depth analysis of millet grain constituents for understanding the mechanism of beneficial effects on human health and their incorporation as an ingredient in value‐added foods, nutraceuticals, packaging films, and many other novel applications 20–27 . For example, among all the components, foxtail millet starch, being the largest constituent of seed, is much more comprehensively studied at the molecular level 28,29 as it contributes to the post‐processing sensory qualities of foods, which are essential for consumer acceptance, 30 the blood‐sugar‐lowering effect that is useful for people suffering from diabetes, 31 and could be a functional additive for many industrial products. Bran lipids, phytochemicals and carotenoids, and dietary fibre have also been investigated extensively for use as potential ingredients for functional foods or as nutraceuticals 22,32,33 …”