Preliminary screening of phytochemicals in processed barnyard millet and pumpkin seeds

This study aimed to analyse the phytochemical composition of germinated barnyard millet and pumpkin seed meal. After processing, the materials were tray-dried, and methanol and aqueous extracts were prepared. Preliminary phytochemical screenings revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and tannins in all samples, while sterols and phenols were absent in both extracts of pumpkin seed meal, owing to the removal of lipid components. The cardiac glycosides, fixed oil and fats, phlobatinins, and quinones were absent in all samples. These findings suggested that germinated barnyard millet and pumpkin seed meal could serve as valuable sources of active compounds for pharmacological and medicinal purposes, warranting further investigation.