DETERMINATION OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS AND THER ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY IN MAIZE KERNELS

Abstract

In this work we determined total phenolic compounds, their antioxidant activity and their relationship, as well as the genetic components on the chemical compounds expression in single crosses of maize (Zea mays L.). Seed samples of 38 genetic materials (33 single crosses and five checks) were used for the chemical analysis. Analysis of variance was computed using a completely randomized design, and correlation among variables and a genetic analysis using the single crosses were made. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) were found among crosses, checks, and between crosses vs. checks, as well as for the phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity. The phenolic compounds were not directly correlated with the antioxidant activity or with the anthocyanin concentration. A positive and correlation was found between the antioxidant activity and the anthocyanin content (r = 0.72*). The genetic analysis showed that the female lines had a genetic variance from components higher than in the testers, both in phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Phenolic compounds were influenced by the interaction effects of both parents, whereas the antioxidant activity was mainly determined by the female parental lines.