Received: 29-05-2012 / Accepted: 28-07-2012
Pentosans are polysaccharides which exhibit both dietary fibre and prebiotic properties. Consumption of pentosan prevents the growth of colon cancer, promotes absorption of minerals and enhances immune system. In this study, the grain of 10 rice, 10 maize and 13 sorghum cultivars were selected to analyse pentosan concentration. The results showed that total and water-soluble pentosan content varied among these cereals, among these maize grains contain highest concentration. Wide variation in petosan concentration was also found within each grain group. Total and water-soluble pentosan content ranged from 0.54 to 1.65% and 0.01 to 0.02%, for rice cultivars; 0.54 to 2.33% and 0.01 to 0.03%, for sorghum cultivars; 2.81 to 4.1% and 002 to 0.1%, for maize cultivars, respectively.