Nutraceutical profiles of improved blue maize (Zea mays) hybrids for subtropical regions

Abstract

There is an increasing interest in blue maize (Zea mays L.) due to its nutraceutical properties. Improved blue maize populations have been developed using landraces as genetic background and tested for its yield stability. The aim of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical and nutraceutical profiles of 25 promising blue maize hybrids developed at INIFAP-Bajio and tested on two subtropical locations during 2008. Biophysical properties and nutraceutical grain traits (free phenolic acids, FPA, bound phenolic acids, BPA, and bound ferulic acid, BFA, soluble protein, SP, total monomeric anthocyanin content, TMA, and antioxidant capacity, AOX) were evaluated. Results indicated that hybrids showed biophysical characteristics that are demanded by the tortilla industries. Significant differences (p<0.001) were found among the 25 hybrids in terms of FPA, BPA, ORAC, BFA and TMA. High levels of FPA (107mg GAE/100g), BPA (255mg GAE/100g) and BFA (222mg/100g) were also found in improved hybrids together with elevated levels of SP (4.5%), TMA (460mg/kg) and AOX (3.7 and 38.9mM trolox equival/100g for FPA and BFA respectively). This study reported for the first time the availability of high productive blue maize hybrids with 42% of vitreous endosperm adapted to subtropical environments. These hybrids contained high levels of nutraceuticals similar to blue maize landrace and could be considered for the commercial production of tortillas and related products.