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Abstract
The seeds of two popular Nigerian cultivars (Gero and Maiwa) of millet grains (Pennisetum americanum) used in the semi-arid region contained 1.38 ±0.3 and 1.43 ± 0.1mg/100g of potential ionic cyanide. The grains of the same cultivars were sprouted for periods up to 96 h in the dark at 38d`C. After 96h sprouting, Maiwa had a higher cyanide content (1.82 ± 0.1mg/100g) than Gero (1.33 ± 0.1 mg/100g), relative to the weight of ungerminated dry millet grains. The lowest cyanide values for ‘Gero’ and ‘Maiwa’ occurred after 60 h and 72 h of sprouting, respectively. The consumption of millet sprouts may not be hazardous. The levels of cyanide detected in this study are safe and fall within the acceptable safe human limits (10–20 mg CN per 100 g sample or 0.5–0.8 mg/kg body weight).