The pentosan content of different varieties of finger millet ranged from 2.7 to 4.0%. The total carbohydrate content of the pentosan preparations ranged from 52 to 92% and protein content varied from 3.9 to 18.1%. The water-soluble and alkali-soluble pentosans of two varieties of finger millet contained the sugars glucose, arabinose and xylose. Galactose, which is commonly found in some cereal pentosans, was not present.