Comparative Phytochemical and Biological Profiling of <i>Zea mays</i> L. Varieties in Cotopaxi Region

Background: This research evaluated the metabolic and antioxidant activity in red, white, and yellow corn varieties cultivated in the Cotopaxi region. Methods: Colorimetric methods were used for the total phenolic content and total flavonoids, while the LC-MS method was used for the metabolic profil...

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Main Authors: Raluca A. Mihai, Ramiro Fernando Vivanco Gonzaga, Damián O. Calero Rondal, Dámaris A. Teneda Jijón, Nelson Santiago Cubi Insuaste, Christian D. Borja Tacuri, Rodica D. Catana
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/10/1054
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author Raluca A. Mihai
Ramiro Fernando Vivanco Gonzaga
Damián O. Calero Rondal
Dámaris A. Teneda Jijón
Nelson Santiago Cubi Insuaste
Christian D. Borja Tacuri
Rodica D. Catana
author_facet Raluca A. Mihai
Ramiro Fernando Vivanco Gonzaga
Damián O. Calero Rondal
Dámaris A. Teneda Jijón
Nelson Santiago Cubi Insuaste
Christian D. Borja Tacuri
Rodica D. Catana
author_sort Raluca A. Mihai
collection DOAJ
description Background: This research evaluated the metabolic and antioxidant activity in red, white, and yellow corn varieties cultivated in the Cotopaxi region. Methods: Colorimetric methods were used for the total phenolic content and total flavonoids, while the LC-MS method was used for the metabolic profile. Also, assays like ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH were used to determine their ability to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidants. Results: Red corn contains a significantly higher level of natural bioactive compounds compared to other varieties. Phenolics and flavonoids are crucial in antioxidant capacity, contributing significantly to scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidants. Comparative analysis of the biological properties and bioactive compounds in these maize varieties provides treasured insights into the fitness ability advantages of consuming red corn, emphasizing the importance of phenolics and flavonoids in its antioxidant activity. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that red corn could offer greater health benefits compared to white and yellow corn, underscoring the importance of ongoing studies of the biological properties and bioactive compounds in different maize varieties.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2077-0472
language English
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publisher MDPI AG
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series Agriculture
spelling doaj-art-df89f8635c01429f95f3aff28e69ae802025-08-20T03:47:48ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-05-011510105410.3390/agriculture15101054Comparative Phytochemical and Biological Profiling of <i>Zea mays</i> L. Varieties in Cotopaxi RegionRaluca A. Mihai0Ramiro Fernando Vivanco Gonzaga1Damián O. Calero Rondal2Dámaris A. Teneda Jijón3Nelson Santiago Cubi Insuaste4Christian D. Borja Tacuri5Rodica D. Catana6Department of Life Science and Agriculture, Universidad de Las Fuerzas Armadas—ESPE, Av. General Ruminahui s/n y, Sangolqui 171103, EcuadorDepartment of Life Science and Agriculture, Universidad de Las Fuerzas Armadas—ESPE, Av. General Ruminahui s/n y, Sangolqui 171103, EcuadorDepartment of Life Science and Agriculture, Universidad de Las Fuerzas Armadas—ESPE, Av. General Ruminahui s/n y, Sangolqui 171103, EcuadorDepartment of Life Science and Agriculture, Universidad de Las Fuerzas Armadas—ESPE, Av. General Ruminahui s/n y, Sangolqui 171103, EcuadorDepartment of Life Science and Agriculture, Universidad de Las Fuerzas Armadas—ESPE, Av. General Ruminahui s/n y, Sangolqui 171103, EcuadorDepartment of Life Science and Agriculture, Universidad de Las Fuerzas Armadas—ESPE, Av. General Ruminahui s/n y, Sangolqui 171103, EcuadorInstitute of Biology Bucharest of Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independentei, 060031 Bucharest, RomaniaBackground: This research evaluated the metabolic and antioxidant activity in red, white, and yellow corn varieties cultivated in the Cotopaxi region. Methods: Colorimetric methods were used for the total phenolic content and total flavonoids, while the LC-MS method was used for the metabolic profile. Also, assays like ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH were used to determine their ability to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidants. Results: Red corn contains a significantly higher level of natural bioactive compounds compared to other varieties. Phenolics and flavonoids are crucial in antioxidant capacity, contributing significantly to scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidants. Comparative analysis of the biological properties and bioactive compounds in these maize varieties provides treasured insights into the fitness ability advantages of consuming red corn, emphasizing the importance of phenolics and flavonoids in its antioxidant activity. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that red corn could offer greater health benefits compared to white and yellow corn, underscoring the importance of ongoing studies of the biological properties and bioactive compounds in different maize varieties.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/10/1054antioxidant activitycorn varietieshealthLC-MSnatural compoundsnutraceuticals
spellingShingle Raluca A. Mihai
Ramiro Fernando Vivanco Gonzaga
Damián O. Calero Rondal
Dámaris A. Teneda Jijón
Nelson Santiago Cubi Insuaste
Christian D. Borja Tacuri
Rodica D. Catana
Comparative Phytochemical and Biological Profiling of <i>Zea mays</i> L. Varieties in Cotopaxi Region
Agriculture
antioxidant activity
corn varieties
health
LC-MS
natural compounds
nutraceuticals
title Comparative Phytochemical and Biological Profiling of <i>Zea mays</i> L. Varieties in Cotopaxi Region
title_full Comparative Phytochemical and Biological Profiling of <i>Zea mays</i> L. Varieties in Cotopaxi Region
title_fullStr Comparative Phytochemical and Biological Profiling of <i>Zea mays</i> L. Varieties in Cotopaxi Region
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Phytochemical and Biological Profiling of <i>Zea mays</i> L. Varieties in Cotopaxi Region
title_short Comparative Phytochemical and Biological Profiling of <i>Zea mays</i> L. Varieties in Cotopaxi Region
title_sort comparative phytochemical and biological profiling of i zea mays i l varieties in cotopaxi region
topic antioxidant activity
corn varieties
health
LC-MS
natural compounds
nutraceuticals
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/10/1054
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