Unveiling the Antinutritional Factors in Millets: A Comprehensive Review

Plants serve as the primary source of essential macronutrients
and micronutrients for human growth and development. However, micronutrient
deficiencies remain a significant contributor to global malnutrition,
especially in developing countries where populations heavily depend
on staple crops like millets. Millets, known for their superior nutritional
content and resilience to diverse climatic conditions, present a sustainable
solution to combat malnutrition. Rich in essential phytochemicals,
millets offer numerous health benefits, including immune system enhancement.
Despite these advantages, millets contain several antinutrient factors
(ANFs) such as phytic acid, polyphenols, and tannins, which reduce
the bioavailability of key nutrients by binding to them, making the
nutrients less absorbable. This is particularly problematic for rural
populations whose diets are largely millet-based. Traditional processing
techniques and breeding strategies have been employed to reduce ANF
levels, improving nutrient absorption and contributing to better nutritional
security. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the various
ANFs present in millets and explores innovative strategies, ranging
from conventional processing to advanced biotechnological interventions
to mitigate their effects. By enhancing the bioavailability of nutrients,
these approaches offer promising solutions to address global nutritional
deficiencies and promote nutritional security, especially in resource-limited
regions.