Characterization of Phenolics and Influence of Phytic Acid Content on Iron and Zinc Bioaccessibility in Chapati Prepared From Diverse Pearl Millet Genotypes

This study investigates the influence of phytic acid on Fe and Zn bioaccessibility and impact of phenolics on free radical scavenging activity in 13 diverse pearl millet (PM) genotypes. Forty-three phenolic compounds were identified using UPLC-(ESI)-QToF-MS. Free (173.01-217.11 mg GAE/100 g), bound (102.97-142.52 mg GAE/100 g), and total phenolic content (286.04-337.63 mg GAE/100 g) varied significantly among genotypes. Phenolic content positively correlated with radical scavenging activity (36.43%-47.56%, DPPH assay). INFOGEST in vitro digestion showed increasing phenolic bioaccessibility from oral (12.58%-23.55%) to gastric (48.4%-72.25%) to intestinal (67.17%-90.26%) phases. Bioaccessibility of Fe (10.55%-14.46%) and Zn (13.48%-19.79%) was negatively correlated with phytic acid (629.02-797.71 mg/100 g) content. WGI 100, with the lowest phytic acid content, had the highest bioaccessibility, whereas Dedha Bajra, with the highest phytic acid content, had the lowest bioaccessibility of Fe and Zn recorded. PM genotypes are rich in phenolics, having high radical scavenging potential. However, higher phytic acid content reduced Fe and Zn bioaccessibility, reinforcing its antinutritional effect on mineral bioavailability.