Title
Primary and phenolic metabolites analyses, in vitro health-relevant bioactivity and physical characteristics of purple corn (Zea mays l.) grown at two andean geographical locations
Date Issued
01 November 2021
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Publisher(s)
MDPI
Abstract
Purple corn (Zea mays L.) is native to the Andean region, but limited research has been performed about the potential metabolic variability when grown under Andean environmental conditions. This study was aimed at evaluating the phenolic and primary polar metabolites composition of purple corn (kernels and cobs) grown at two Peruvian Andean locations (lowland and highland) using targeted UHPLC (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography) and un-targeted GC-MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) metabolomic platforms, respectively. Changes in the physical characteristics and the in vitro bioactivity were also determined. Purple corn from the highland zone showed higher contents of ash, crude fiber, total phenolic contents, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) antioxidant capacity, and α-amylase inhibitory activity in kernels, whereas increased levels of flavonoids (anthocyanins and quercetin derivatives) and ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] antioxidant capacity were observed in cobs in comparison to lowland samples. No effect of the Andean location was found on the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity relevant for hyperglycemia management, while yield-linked physical characteristics were high in purple corn grown at the lowland zone. Polar primary metabolites related to the carbohydrate (monosaccharides, sucrose, and D-sorbitol), amino acid (valine and alanine), and tricarboxylic acid cycle (succinic, fumaric, and aconitic acid) metabolism were higher in highland purple corn (cob and kernel) likely due to abiotic stress factors from the highland environment. This study provides the foundation for further breeding improvements at Andean locations.
Volume
11
Issue
11
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Bioquímica, Biología molecular
Demografía
Endocrinología, Metabolismo (incluyendo diabetes, hormonas)
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85118215648
Source
Metabolites
ISSN of the container
22181989
Sponsor(s)
Funding: This research was funded by the vice-presidency of research of Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria (Peru), grant number 24957-R-2017.
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus