Nutritional composition patterns and application of multivariate analysis to evaluate indigenous Pearl millet ((Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) germplasm

•Pearl millet is used as a staple food for meeting the human nutritional needs.•Pearl millet showed balanced carbohydrates, protein, fibre, lipids, minerals, bioactives.•Pearl millet was rich in several essential ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids.•Multivariate data analysis was used to envision the distribution and data structure.•The germplasm displayed regiospecific variations in their nutritional content. The nutritional composition of 87 diverse Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) germplasm including landraces and commercial varieties was assessed through standard protocols. The results indicated a substantial variability in total carbohydrates [starch (50.37–63.25), amylose (19.26–27.90), sucrose (0.58–1.53), glucose (0.32–0.75), resistant starch (RS) (1.49–3.52), total soluble sugars (TSS) (1.53–3.22), expressed as g/100 g], protein (8.07–18.15 g/100 g), total dietary fibre (TDF) (7.68–16.18 g/100 g), lipids and fatty acids [total lipid (5.24–9.99), palmitic (20.30–32.49), linoleic (32.11–46.91), oleic (21.99–33.43) and stearic acid (3.28–7.91) expressed as g/100 g], antinutritional factors [phytic acid (0.54–1.43 g/100 g) and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) (0.27–2.08 mmol/100 g)], phenols (0.04–0.21 g/100 g), and minerals. Multivariate analysis using hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to decipher the diversity of these attributes across germplasm. Multivariate data analysis (MVDA) can be applied for deciphering the differences/ similarities between multiple nutritional attributes, sample types or for projecting the object in a two/ three-dimensional factor-plane, determined based on various distinct characteristics. HCA revealed that Cluster I, II and III showed higher content of amylose, starch, moisture, cluster III had higher lipid content. cluster I, II, III and IV showed higher RS. Cluster II and III had higher TSS, cluster III showed higher sucrose content. Cluster V and VII were indicated by higher glucose and protein content. Cluster II, III, IV and VI showed phytic acid content and cluster III showed higher mineral content. The germplasm displayed distinct regiospecific variations in their nutritional content. Those derived from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand showed higher protein content. Those derived from Haryana, Karnataka, New Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh showed high carbohydrates. Those from New Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand showed high Iro