Which vitamin is found in the highest quantity in millets?

Among all vitamins, B-complex vitamins — particularly niacin (B3), thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and pyridoxine (B6) — are the most abundant in millets, with niacin typically present at the highest concentrations (1.1–3.2 mg/100g depending on variety). Potassium, while not a vitamin, is the most abundant mineral (highest in finger millet at 408 mg/100g). For fat-soluble vitamins, millets provide modest amounts of Vitamin A (as beta-carotene precursor) and Vitamin E. A review in MDPI (2023) identified sorghum as having the highest niacin content among millets, while foxtail millet leads in Vitamin B6 and folate.

Key Points

Niacin (B3): highest vitamin by concentration in most millets, especially sorghum — 2.9–3.2 mg/100g, supporting energy metabolism and cellular repair

Thiamine (B1): abundant in pearl millet and foxtail millet, supporting carbohydrate metabolism and neurological function

Pyridoxine (B6): highest in foxtail and kodo millets, essential for amino acid metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis

Folate (B9): significant in proso millet and finger millet — critical for DNA synthesis and cell division

Vitamin E (tocopherols): present in pearl millet and foxtail millet, acting as lipid-soluble antioxidant protecting cell membranes

Related FAQs

Latest Millets News