Relationship of Physical Properties and Macronutrient Composition with Carotenoid Profile in Maize Hybrids

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Kristina Kljak
• Author: Dora Zurak
• Author: Zlatko Svečnjak
• Author: Darko Grbeša
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Agriculture
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOTECHNICAL SCIENCES; Agronomy

Abstract (english)

Maize hybrids with higher vitreousness contain a higher carotenoid content; however, the relationship between the carotenoid profile and the physical and chemical properties related to vitreousness has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among the physical properties (kernel size, hardness, density and bulk density), macronutrient composition (crude protein and fat, starch, amylose, amylopectin and zein) and carotenoid profile (individual, total, α-... More and β-branch carotenoids and xanthophylls) in the grain of 15 maize hybrids. The tested hybrids displayed high variability for most analyzed traits. Three hybrids were characterized by the predominance of β-branch over α-branch carotenoids, while others showed a more uniform content of both fractions. The kernel hardness was associated with the bulk density, flotation index, kernel sphericity, crude protein and zein content. Hybrids with a higher kernel hardness and associated traits had a higher content of zeaxanthin and other β-branch carotenoids, as well as the total carotenoids. In contrast, lutein and α-branch carotenoids were related to the crude protein and amylopectin content only. The findings of the present study confirmed that kernel hardness is associated with β-branch carotenoids and provided further insight into the relationship between the carotenoid profile and commonly analyzed grain quality properties in maize hybrids. The production of higher quality maize hybrids implies a higher nutritional value of the grain due to the higher carotenoid content. Less

• Keywords (english): maize; hybrid; carotenoids; hardness; bulk density; amylose; zein
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Agriculture
• Numbering: vol. 14, no. 3, 384
• e-ISSN: 2077-0472
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14030384
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:204:636154
• Publication: 2024-02-28
• Project: Number: IP-2019-04-9063; Title (croatian): Biodostupnost karotenoida kukuruza kod nesilica: utjecaj mikrostrukture zrna i sastava smjese; Title (english): Bioavailability of maize carotenoids in laying hens: Effect of grain microstructure and diet composition; Acronym: ColourMaize; Leader: Kristina Kljak; Jurisdiction: Croatia; Funding stream: Research Projects
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/3/384
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-12-05 12:39:47