Distribution of Vitamin E Content and Its Correlation with Agronomic Traits and Carotenoids Content in Foxtail Millet Varieties in China

Abstract

We determined vitamin E (VE) and carotenoid contents in 200 foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv.) developed varieties from different provinces with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to explore distribution and screen varieties with high VE and carotenoid contents, as well as analyze correlations among total VE content, α-VE content, (β+γ)-VE content, δ-VE content, carotenoid content and agronomic traits. The results showed that the distribution of total VE content, α-VE content and (β+γ)-VE content in foxtail millet varieties were normal, while that of δ-VE content was skwe. (β+γ)-VE content was the most abundant fraction in china foxtail millet varieties. The foxtail millet varieties from Shaanxi and Jilin had the highest total VE contents with significant difference from those of other provinces; those from Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning had highest (β+γ)-VE contents also with significant difference from those of other provinces. There was no significant difference in δ-VE content among varieties of different provinces. Lutein and zeaxanthin were two main carotenoids in foxtail millet varieties. The contents of these carotenoids were extremely different among foxtail millet varieties which came from different provinces. Correlation analysis showed that lutein and zeaxanthin contents were significantly and positively correlated with the total VE content and α-VE content, while significantly and negatively correlated with the δ-VE content. There was no significant correlation between lutein content and (β+γ)-VE content. Total VE content and (β+γ)-VE content were all negatively correlated with 1000-seed weight at 0.05 probability level, δ-VE content was positively correlated with weed weight per plant and spikelet weight at 0.01 probability level. Ca- rotenoid contents were all positively correlated with grass weight at 0.01 probability level.