| Summary: | Millet is a rich source of micro-nutrients and phytochemicals. However, literature on Sri Lankan millet varieties is limited. The present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activity (AOA), Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Bound Phenolic Content of two varieties of finger millet (<em>Eleusine coracana</em>) and three varieties of foxtail millet (<em>Setaria italica</em>) prominently grown in Sri Lanka. The finger millet varieties tested were Wadimal Kurakkan and Bala Kurakkan whereas foxial millet varieties were Ran Thana Haal, Kaha Thana Haal and Kalu Thana Haal. AOA was screened using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). Folin−Ciocalteu method was used to determine the TPC of both soluble and bound contents. According to the results, AOA showed a significant correlation with TPC while a moderate correlation was observed with FRAP and DPPH. Therefore, a distinct content of PC has contributed to the AOA in the evaluated millet varieties. Finger millet varieties showed the strongest antioxidant activities compared to the foxtail varieties in all the assays performed. The total and bound phenolic contents were observed to be higher in finger millet varieties than those in the foxtail millet varieties.
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