Tanwar Ronak, Panghal Anil, Kumari Anju, Chhikara Navnidhi
Center for Food Science and Technology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India.
Department of Processing & Food Engineering, AICRP-PHET, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India.
Chem Biodivers. 2025 Jul;22(7):e202402437. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202402437. Epub 2025 Mar 27.
Climate change presents a growing challenge to global food systems, particularly in regions vulnerable to drought and water scarcity. This shows the urgent need to explore and promote climate-resilient crops that offer both resilience and high nutritional value. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), a drought-tolerant grain with ancient roots in Africa and Asia, presents a compelling solution for global food security amidst climate change. Its resilience in arid and semi-arid regions makes it a valuable crop for diversifying food systems and enhancing resilience in vulnerable communities worldwide. This review aims to highlight the unrevealed potential of P. glaucum as a sustainable and nutritious food source including its naturally gluten-free profile, high dietary fibre content surpassing rice, a lipid profile comparable to maize and a superior essential amino acid profile compared to wheat and rye. Furthermore, lower production costs and reduced susceptibility to aflatoxin contamination as compared to crops like maize, which directly impact farmer livelihoods and consumer health. The diverse functional properties of millets emphasize low glycaemic index, potential role in weight management, and mitigating the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, aligning with contemporary health concerns. This review serves as a call to action for researchers, policymakers, and food industries all over the world to recognize and harness the multifaceted potential of P. glaucum. By promoting its cultivation, processing, and consumption through research, policy support and market development, we can contribute to building more resilient and equitable food systems while promoting dietary diversity and improved nutrition for the growing population.
气候变化给全球粮食系统带来了日益严峻的挑战，尤其是在易受干旱和水资源短缺影响的地区。这凸显了探索和推广具有气候适应能力且兼具高营养价值的作物的迫切需求。珍珠粟（黍稷）是一种耐旱谷物，起源于非洲和亚洲，在应对气候变化的背景下，它为全球粮食安全提供了一个极具吸引力的解决方案。它在干旱和半干旱地区的适应能力使其成为一种宝贵的作物，有助于使全球粮食系统多样化，并增强脆弱社区的适应能力。本综述旨在强调珍珠粟作为一种可持续且营养丰富的食物来源尚未被揭示的潜力，包括其天然无麸质特性、膳食纤维含量高于水稻、脂质成分与玉米相当，以及与小麦和黑麦相比具有更优的必需氨基酸组成。此外，与玉米等作物相比，珍珠粟生产成本更低，黄曲霉毒素污染易感性更低，这直接影响着农民生计和消费者健康。粟类作物多样的功能特性强调了其低血糖指数、在体重管理中的潜在作用，以及降低糖尿病等慢性疾病风险的作用，这与当代健康问题相契合。本综述呼吁世界各地的研究人员、政策制定者和食品行业认识并利用珍珠粟的多方面潜力。通过研究、政策支持和市场开发来推广其种植、加工和消费，我们可以为建立更具适应能力和公平性的粮食系统做出贡献，同时促进饮食多样性并改善不断增长的人口的营养状况。
