Assessment of phenolics in pigmented maize of Bangladesh

Abstract In this investigation, we determined the compositions of phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins in a purple maize (SAU Bhutta 3) variety and compared its phytonutrients with those of other maize varieties cultivated in Bangladesh. The SAU purple maize contained 106.0 ± 8.3 and 165.1 ± 8.0 mg /100 g of methanol soluble and acidic methanol soluble polyphenols, respectively. The SAU Bhutta 3 had the greatest amount of flavonoids (77.0 ± 10.0 mg /100 g) and anthocyanins (69.0 ± 5.0 C3G equv./100 g) compared with the other colored maize varieties used in the investigation. The phenolic content of a hilly indigenous deep red maize cultivar was similar to that of SAU purple maize, but the former contained less flavonoids and anthocyanins than did the later. Nevertheless, the SAU white maize variety had 31.0 ± 2.0, 47.0 ± 4.4 mg FAE/100 g and 9.0 ± 2.0 mg CE/100 g of free and bound phenolics and total flavonoids, respectively, which were lower than those of the SAU Bhutta 3. Again, the SAU red maize contained the lowest level of total anthocyanin (4.11 ± 1.2 mg C3G/100 g). The SAU Bhutta 3 exhibited higher proportions of insoluble phenolics compared to total phenolics and flavonoids compared to insoluble phenolics. Overall, the SAU Bhutta 3 contained relatively high amounts of phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins; thus, this particular maize variety shows significant potential for future utilization as both human food and in industrial applications.