Increase of tocopherols, phytosterols, and carotenoids in high‐oil subtropical maize after recurrent selection

Abstract

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesSubtropical high‐oil maize (HOM) genotypes have been successfully developed, but further evaluation of the content of liposoluble nutraceuticals is essential. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration and profile of tocopherols, phytosterols, and carotenoids in HOM and the effects of high‐oil selection in white and yellow subtropical populations.FindingsResults indicated that recurrent selection increase of germ proportion (9%–12%) in the total kernel had a direct effect on the oil content and increased the contents of carotenoids, tocopherols, and phytosterols. In particular, carotenoids improved only in yellow populations, with an improvement in total carotenoid (from 13 to 17 mg/kg dry weight [dw]), provitamin A, β‐carotenes, and β‐cryptoxanthin. α‐ and γ‐Tocopherols showed an overall increase in the total content (up to 39 mg/kg dw). Total phytosterols increased significantly in both populations, with similar changes in composition (up to 374 mg/kg dw). β‐Sitosterol was the predominant phytosterol associated with HOM.ConclusionsRecurrent selection for high oil in subtropical maize effectively altered the liposoluble nutraceuticals compounds of improved kernels in terms of carotenoids, tocopherols, and phytosterols, with modifications in their profiles.Significance and NoveltyThis research demonstrated that recurrent selection is an effective traditional breeding tool that improves oil, tocopherols, phytosterols, and carotenoids in subtropical maize. This investigation represents a first step toward understanding how the improvement of oil content affects the lipophilic nutraceutical content.