Decoding the health benefits of little millet using targeted and untargeted metabolomics approaches

• 22 phenolic compounds have been identified for the first time in little millet in Jammu and Kashmir. • Pyrogallol and 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde are the major phenolic compound in little millet. • Phenolics and flavonoids significantly contribute to the antioxidant capacity . Little millet ( Panicum sumatrense ) is gaining popularity as a functional food and nutraceutical source due to its rich content of bioactive compounds. However, its metabolomic profiling, particularly of primary and secondary metabolites, remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to comprehensively profile the phytochemicals in little millet landraces from District Kishtwar, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by integrating both untargeted and targeted metabolomics approaches. Untargeted LC-HRMS analysis enabled the identification of 36% primary metabolites and 64% secondary metabolites, providing a broad overview of the metabolic landscape. Targeted analyses, including fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling and ICP-MS elemental analysis, further validated and quantified specific metabolites of nutritional significance. The main fatty acids identified were linoleic acid (50.08%), oleic acid (27.12%), and palmitic acid (12.40%), along with significant amounts of B-complex vitamins. Elemental analysis revealed ten macro- and microelements, with calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) being the most abundant. Together, the combined metabolomics strategy highlights the potential of little millet as a functional food with added value for the management and prevention of metabolic diseases.