Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is among the three most important food crops worldwide. Maize growth is affected by high aluminium content in acid soils, which constitute nearly 50% of the world’s cultivable area. Therefore, the cultivation of aluminium-tolerant maize hybrids could be a healthier alternative and an attractive food source in these regions. In this regard, to produce hybrids kernels, 16 inbred lines aluminium-tolerant (Al-T) and aluminium-susceptible (Al-S) maize were screened for their constitutive patterns of selected nutrients and phytochemicals. Proximate analysis, free phenolic acids (FPA) and cell wall-bound phenolic acids (CPA) contents, as well as antioxidant capacity (AOX) were assayed in the anatomical kernel parts (pericarp, endosperm, and germ). Kernels of Al-T maize contained significantly higher germ protein, oil, and fibre (2.9, 3.0, and 0.5%, respectively) than Al-S kernels (1.9, 1.8, and 0.3%, respectively). Importantly, the nutraceutical contents in terms of pericarp FPA and germ CPA were significantly higher in kernels belonging to Al-T maize (92 mg and 140 mg EGA/100 g). The highest AOX was observed in germ CPA of Al-T kernels (9.0 mmol TE/100 g). The results herein indicate that Al-tolerance mechanisms induce positive changes in the nutrients and phytochemicals; this implies that the hybrids generated using Al-T maize inbred lines could emerge as an attractive source of nutrients and phytochemicals in farming regions containing acid soils.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is among the most important food crops worldwide [1]
The pericarp structures of both Al-T and Al-S lines showed no significant difference in terms of proximal composition (Table 2). These results clearly indicate that tolerance to Al was related to changes in kernel anatomical proportions and compositions, the nutrients associated with the endosperm and germ
The results presented provide the basis for taking advantage of Al tolerance in maize lines to enhance the nutrient and phytochemical content of kernels
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is among the most important food crops worldwide [1]. Maize, rice, and wheat provide at least 60% calories and 50% protein to consumers in developing countries [2]. Maize production is limited in developing countries of America, Asia, and Africa due to the presence of large extensions of acidic soils (pH < 5.5) that represent around. Aluminium (Al) toxicity is the primary factor limiting plant growth in acidic soils and is mainly responsible for the reduction in crop yields [5,6]. This toxicity reduces root water and nutrient uptake due to both root damage and growth inhibition [7,8]. The use of Al-tolerant (Al-T) maize genotypes could enhance productivity in a sustainable system by minimising root damage in acidic soils [6,11]
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