Carotenoid Content and Bioaccessibility in Commercial Maize Hybrids

Dora Zurak, Darko Grbeša, Marija Duvnjak, Goran Kiš, Tatjana Međimurec and Kristina Kljak
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Dora Zurak: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Darko Grbeša: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Duvnjak: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Goran Kiš: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tatjana Međimurec: Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate for Professional Support to the Development of Agriculture and Fisheries, Bani 110, Buzin, 10010 Zagreb, Croatia
Kristina Kljak: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: The objective of the present study was to determine the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids in 104 maize hybrids available at the market. Lutein, zeaxanthin, α- and β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene were determined in whole grains and micelles produced during standardized INFOGEST digestibility analysis, and their bioaccessibility was calculated as the ratio of micellar and grain carotenoids. Tested hybrids varied in total carotenoid content, with 34% having total carotenoid content in the range of 15–20 µg/g dry matter (DM) and 41% in the range of 20–25 µg/g DM. The amount of bioaccessible carotenoids increased linearly ( p < 0.05) with increasing content in the grain, and decreased among determined carotenoidsd in the order: lutein (52%) > zeaxanthin (43%) > β-carotene (43%) > α-cryptoxanthin (27%) > β-cryptoxanthin (26%). Bioaccessibility of lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene decreased with increasing content in the grain ( p < 0.05). On average, only 43% of the total carotenoids were bioaccessible in commercial maize hybrids tested, which should be considered when formulating an animal diet.

Keywords: maize grain; lutein; zeaxanthin; β-cryptoxanthin; β-carotene; in vitro digestibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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