@article{
author = "Dragičević, Vesna and Brankov, Milan and Stoiljković, Milovan and Tolimir, Miodrag and Travlos, Ilias and Simić, Milena",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Maize is an important staple crop and a significant source of various nutrients.We aimed to determine the macronutrients, antioxidants, and essentialelements in maize genotypes (white, yellow, and red kernel) using threedifferent fertilizers, which could be used as a basis to increase the nutrientdensity of maize. The fertilizer treatments used bio- and organic fertilizers as asustainable approach, urea, as a commonly used mineral fertilizer, and thecontrol (no fertilization). We evaluated the yield, concentration ofmacronutrient (protein, oil, and starch), nonenzymatic antioxidants(phenolics, yellow pigment, total glutathione (GSH), and phytic phosphorus),and reduction capacity of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, aswell as essential elements that are commonly deficient in the diet (Mg, Ca, Fe,Mn, Zn, Cu, and S) and their relationships with phytic acid. The genotypeexpressed the strongest effect on the variability of grain yield and the analyzedgrain constituents. The red-kernel hybrid showed the greatest accumulation ofprotein, oil, phenolics, and essential elements (Ca, Fe, Cu, and S) than a yellowand white hybrid, especially in the biofertilizer treatment. The yellow kernel hadthe highest concentrations of yellow pigment, GSH, phytic phosphorous, Mg,Mn, and Zn (19.61 µg g−1, 1,134 nmol g−1, 2.63 mg g−1, 1,963 µg g−1, 11.7 µg g−1,and 33.9 µg g−1, respectively). The white kernel had a greater starchconcentration (2.5% higher than that in the red hybrid) and the potentialbioavailability of essential metals, particularly under no fertilization. Thissupports the significance of white maize as a staple food in many traditionaldiets across the world. Urea was important for the enhancement of theantioxidant status (with 88.0% reduction capacity for the DPPH radical) andincreased potential Zn bioavailability in the maize kernels (13.3% higher thanthat in the biofertilizer treatment). This study underlines the differences in theyield potential and chemical composition of red, yellow, and white-kernelmaize and their importance as a necessary part of a sustainable human diet.This information can help determine the most appropriate genotype based onthe antioxidants and/or essential elements targeted for kernel improvement.",
journal = "Frontiers in Plant Science",
title = "Kernel color and fertilization as factors of enhanced maize quality",
pages = "1-13",
doi = "10.3389/fpls.2022.1027618"
}