Characterization of chemical and bioactive properties of the grain of new inbred maize lines

Abstract

The objective of this study was to early identify genotypes with increased potential for the development of hybrids with high nutritional and functional value, suitable for food production, by assessing the grain quality parameters of eleven new maize inbred lines. The inbreds, including nine standard yellow and two red kernel lines, were grown in the experimental field of the Maize Research Institute at the location of Zemun Polje, Serbia in 2020. Wholegrain maize flour was obtained by a dry grind process on a laboratory mill. The assessment of the chemical composition and content of certain bioactive compounds, as well as total antioxidant capacity, was conducted using standard laboratory procedures. The highest starch content (73.73%), was determined in Line 8, while Line 10 had the highest protein content (12.82%). The lowest oil content was determined in red kernel Line 7, namely 4.87%. Among soluble proteins, the α-zein fraction was dominant in most of the lines, ranging from 0.92% to 3.57%. The glutelin and albumin fraction were present in a lower percentage, followed by the globulin fraction. The highest content of total fibers (NDF) was determined in red kernel Line 9 (15.77%). Line 8 was the richest in total carotenoids (21.08 μg βCE/g d.m.), while Line 7 had the highest total antioxidant capacity (34.30 mmol Trolox/kg d.m.), which can be explained by the presence of anthocyanins in the red grain. Line 1 had the highest content of total sugars (3.36%), and Line 4 had the lowest (1.44%). All samples of new inbred lines investigated in this study showed good quality parameters regarding chemical composition and bioactive properties. The obtained results may provide some valuable guidelines needed in the following stages of maize breeding as well as open up various possibilities for the utilization of wholegrain maize flour in the food industry.