Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profiles, Antinutritional Factors, and Physicochemical Properties of Seven Indigenous Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Cultivars from East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Abstract
East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia, harbors diverse indigenous sorghum germplasm that has undergone long-term farmer selection under semi-arid conditions. This study characterized the nutritional composition, phytochemical attributes, antinutritional factors, and physicochemical properties of seven local sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivars collected across NTT. Using standard analytical procedures, cultivars were assessed for proximate composition; starch characteristics (amylose/amylopectin); total phenolic content; antioxidant activity; antinutrients (tannins and phytates); color parameters; and texture-related properties. Differences among cultivars were evaluated using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD post-hoc comparisons, and associations among variables were examined using Pearson correlation analysis. All traits varied significantly across cultivars. Protein content ranged from 8.22% to 20.67%, with the Niki-niki cultivar (South Central Timor District) exhibiting notably elevated protein. Antioxidant activity ranged from 56.77% to 88.81%, and the highest values were observed in two dark-pigmented cultivars from Jiwuwu Village (Sabu Raijua District), which also displayed high total phenolic contents (196.03 and 194.22 ppm). Tannin (0.070–0.178%) and phytate (0.014–0.187%) levels were moderate, indicating suitability for food use while plausibly contributing to the antioxidant performance of pigmented cultivars. Amylose content ranged from 16.50% to 26.51%, suggesting cultivar-dependent starch functionality and potential differences in digestibility. Total phenolic content showed a strong positive correlation with antioxidant activity, supporting phenolics as key contributors to radical-scavenging capacity in these materials. Overall, this work provides a comprehensive comparative characterization of NTT sorghum cultivars and demonstrates substantial nutritional and functional heterogeneity, including protein levels markedly higher than commonly reported for Indonesian sorghum. Dark-pigmented cultivars combining high antioxidant capacity with acceptable antinutrient levels represent promising candidates for functional food development, while the observed diversity underscores the value of NTT sorghum as a genetic resource for climate-resilient breeding in marginal dryland agroecosystems.
Keywords: Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench; indigenous cultivars; phenolic compounds; antioxidant activity; antinutritional factors; functional foods; East Nusa Tenggara
DOI：https://doi.org/10.62321/issn.1000-1298.2025.10.4
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