Inter-varietal variation in biochemical, phytochemical and antioxidant composition of maize (zea mays l.) grains

Abstract

Grains of six varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) including Sahiwal-2002, Sadaf, EV-1098, EV-6098, FH- 793 and Pak-Afgoyee, being cultivated in Pakistan, were analysed for their biochemical, phytochemical and antioxidant composition. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in these contents were observed among the varieties. FH-793 was found to be high in salt soluble proteins, tannins and saponins. Sahiwal- 2000 and EV-1098 exhibited comparatively higher levels of sugars, crude oil, flavonoids, phenolic acids, antioxidants, 2, 2-Diphenyl 1-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power; therefore these two varieties should attract the attention of the nutritionists.