Abstract
Pigmented corn contains several bioactive phytonutrients that possess many biological activities, such as antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammation properties. In this study, the content of major nutrients (carbohydrates, fats and protein and fiber), carotenoids and phenolics, were determined for the first time in whole kernels of 5 different pigmented corn genotypes included in the regional register of biodiversity of Marche (Italy) managed by Agency for Food Service Industry in the Marche (ASSAM). In addition, the antioxidant activity was evaluated as radical scavenging activity using ORAC assay. The carotenoid compounds were characterised. Zeaxantin, the most abundant carotenoid was found in concentrations ranging between 176-218 μg/100 g. The β-carotene and lutein contents ranged from 27-39 μg/100 g and 23-49 μg/100 g, respectively. The highest content of polyphenols was found in corn Roccacontrada Rosso. All corn hydrophilic extracts inhibited significantly low density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxidation triggered by copper ions. These results suggest that corn varieties constitute a good source of natural antioxidant and could considered and functional food.
Highlights
Corn is one of the most widely cultivated cereals in the world
Total phenolic content ranged from 115.4 ± 9.3 mg/100 g to 175.5 ± 6.8 mg/100 g of dry weight of corn extracts
A significant positive correlation was established between the levels of total phenolic compounds and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity method (ORAC) values (r=0.83, n=15, p
Summary
Corn is one of the most widely cultivated cereals in the world. There are several types of genotypes, with colours such as white, yellow, violet, red, black, and blue. It has been demonstrated that several plant phytochemicals are bioavailable, they are absorbed from intestine and exert several physiological roles as demonstrated in animal models and in human studies [11,12,13] In addition to their high antioxidant and antiradical activities, the health beneficial properties of these plant metabolites have been attributed too many other mechanisms such as antiinflammatory properties, inhibition of enzymes, and induction of detoxification enzymes [14,15,16,17]
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