| Abstract: | Three high protein (HP) inbred lines (700112, WC-190 and B-816) of pearl millet were studied for their nutritional quality and the results compared with those of normal protein varieties. The protein content of HP lines showed an average increase of 60% but the starch and soluble sugars together and the fat content decreased by 40 and 20%, respectively. Total dietary fibre of the HP lines was about 10% higher. A decrease (about 20%) in the albumin fraction was associated with an increase in prolamin in HP lines. The amino acid composition of the HP lines remained normal except for an approximately 16% decrease in lysine. However, the total amount of lysine in the sample increased by an average of 37%, as a result of a substantial increase in protein content. True protein digestibility was very high for each line but, expectedly, the biological value was markedly lower. The values for utilisable protein were highest for high protein genotypes. Digestible energy was high in all the genotypes, although slightly lower values were obtained for the HP lines; this was attributed to the fibre fractions. |
