Blue maize with pigmented germ: Phytochemical compounds and tortilla color.

Blue maize is used in the production of various traditional foods, and its phytochemical composition has been claimed to possess health benefits. In this study, two blue maize hybrids with pigmented germ grown in five environments were studied under the hypothesis that the germ could have a different anthocyanin profile from that of anthocyanins synthesized in the aleurone layer, and that those in the germ could increase the total anthocyanin content in the whole grain. The percentage of pigmented germ, total anthocyanin content (TA) and total soluble phenols in the germ, whole grain and tortilla were evaluated to determine how tortilla color is modified. For the first time, the anthocyanin and fatty acid profiles of pigmented germ were determined. In the anthocyanin profile, anthocyanins derived from peonidin stood out, making 50.7 %. The most abundant fatty acid was linoleic acid (40.6 %). Whole kernel TA content increased when the maize had a higher percentage of pigmented germ, with minimal changes when grain was transformed to tortilla, resulting in darker tortillas. The large variation in TA among environments highlights the importance of identifying the environments that most favor anthocyanin synthesis.

Combining Ability and Reciprocal Effects for the Yield of Elite Blue Corn Lines from the Central Highlands of Mexico.

The development of hybrid plants can increase the production and quality of blue corn, and, thus, satisfy its high demand. For this development, it is essential to understand the heterotic relationships of the germplasm. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability, as well as the reciprocal effects (REs) on the yields of 10 blue corn lines, and to select the outstanding lines. Diallel crosses were generated with 10 lines and evaluated at the Valle de México Experimental Station in Chapingo, Mexico, and Calpulalpan, Tlaxcala, Mexico. There were differences (p ≤ 0.01) in the hybrids, Loc, effects of GCA, SCA, and REs, and in the following interactions: hybrids × Loc, GCA × Loc, SCA × Loc, and RE × Loc. For GCA, lines Ll, L4, L6, and L9 stood out, with significant values of 3.4, 2.9, 2.9, and 3.1, respectively. For SCA, the hybrids featured were L4 × L10, L2 × L10, L1 × L10, L7 × L8, and L2 × L6, with values of 3.0, 2.5, 2.3, 2.3, and 2.2, and yields of 11.2, 10.2, 10.4, 10.4, and 10.5 t ha-l, respectively. There were no significant REs in these lines. Considerable effects of GCA and SCA were detected; therefore, we concluded that native populations had favorable dominance and additive genetic effects that could be used to support the development of high-yielding lines and hybrids.