Kernel properties related to carotenoid release during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion in commercial dent maize hybrids

The objective of study was to investigate the relationships between maize kernel properties and carotenoid release during simulated gastrointestinal digestion of 103 hybrids of dent type. Commercial maize hybrids significantly differed in kernel hardness, chemical composition and carotenoid profile. Across all hybrids, the amount of digestible individual carotenoids increased as follows: β-carotene < α-cryptoxanthin < β-cryptoxanthin < lutein < zeaxanthin. The amount of digested carotenoids correlated negatively with amylose content and amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, while it correlated positively with the content of neutral detergent fibres and amylopectin as well as the Stenvert index. However, the content of endosperm lipids could not be related to carotenoid digestibility. Findings clearly indicate that the carotenoid release from the kernel during digestion is related to specific physical and chemical properties, leading to a better understanding of the effects of kernel matrix structure on carotenoid digestibility in dent-type maize hybrids

Characterization of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) honey by physico-chemical parameters and chromatographic/spectroscopic techniques (GC-FID/MS, HPLC-DAD, UV/VIS and FTIR-ATR

Satureja hortensis L. unifloral honey was characterized by pollen analysis, electrical conductivity, pH and extensively by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. UV / VIS spectro-scopy measurements revealed total phenol content of 682.1 mg GAE / kg by Folin-Ciocalteu assay, antiox-idant capacity by DPPH assay of 1.7 mmol TEAC / kg and by FRAP assay of 4.3 mmol Fe2+ / kg as well as CIE L*a*b*Cab*h°ab chromaticity coordinates. GC-MS after headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) revealed hotrienol (22.8 %) along with other linalool derivatives, benzaldehyde (6.1 %), phenylacetaldehyde (4.9 %) and few norisoprenoids (safranal (7.6 %) as the major). Ultrasonic solvent ex-traction (USE) followed by GC-MS allowed identification of methyl syringate (54.7 %) as predominant compound along with other benzene derivatives. HPLC-DAD analysis determined tyrosine (382.0 mg kg−1), phenylalanine (140.4 mg kg−1) and methyl syringate (39.32 mg kg−1). Methyl syringate and hotrienol can be considered non-specific chemical markers of S. hortensis honey. FTIR-ATR spectral characteristics of S. hortensis honey in fingerprinting region were not significantly different from other honey types, but the integrated intensity of the region was smaller than in other unifloral honeys

Baby corn, green corn, and dry corn yield of corn cultivars

In corn, when the first female inflorescence is removed, the plant often produces new female inflorescences. This allows the first ear to be harvested as baby corn (BC) and the second as green corn (GC) or dry corn (DC), that is, mature corn. The flexibility provided by a variety of harvested products allows the grower to compete with better conditions in the markets. We evaluated BC, GC, and DC yields in corn cultivars AG 1051, AG 2060, and BRS 2020, after the first ear was harvested as BC. A random block design with ten replicates was utilized. The yields of MM, MV and MS were higher when these products were individually harvested than when they were harvested in combination with baby corn (BC + GC and BC + DC). Cultivar BRS 2020 was the best for producing BC exclusively, considering the number and weight of marketable unhusked ears and the number (NH) of marketable husked ears. Considering weight (WH) of BC marketable husked ears, cultivar AG 1051 was the best. Cultivars did not differ in baby corn yield when this product was harvested in combination with MS or MV, except with regard to NH and WH, with AG 1051 being superior. The cultivars did not differ between total number of ears and number of marketable unhusked green ears. However, cultivars AG 1051 and AG 2060 were the best with respect to marketable unhusked green ears and number and weight of marketable husked green ears. Cultivar AG 1051 was the best with regard to kernel yield