Homologies between prolamins of different minor millets

Abstract

Minor millets, viz. Barnyard millet, Proso millet, Little millet, Foxtail millet and Kodo millet, one variety in each grown in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu were selected for the study. The protein contents of the selected decorticated millets were found to be 11.0, 12.3, 12.9, 10.5 and 10.6% respectively. Fractionation of these proteins revealed that prolamin forms major storage protein in Foxtail millet whereas, glutelin forms major storage protein in all the other millets. The extractability was studied using different solvents, viz. isopropyl alcohol, t-butyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol with varying concentration of 2-mercapto ethanol. Electrophoretic pattern of the extracted prolamins from these millets were compared and found that a protein band at the molecular weight range of 20 kD was found homologous in all except Proso millet. The extractability of the 20kD protein in 90% isopropyl alcohol showed its strong hydrophobic nature.