Biochemical characterization of elite maize (Zea mays) germplasm for carotenoids composition

Abstract

A set of 100 inbred lines comprising of 50 normal and 50 quality protein maize (QPM) were analyzed for carotenoids composition such as total carotenoids, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin. Seven QPM {HKI-3-4-8-6, HKI 34(1+2)-1, HKI 164-4(1-3), NP-06-07R-76-8, NP-06-07R-80-6, LQPM-42 and LQPM-40} and 9 normal lines {DML-288, DML-2, DML-112, DML-309, DML-45, BAJIM-08-27, BAJIM-13-1, HKI 1105 and HKI 1155} were found to possess significantly higher carotenoids as compared to the check (DMRQPM 103). Kernel colour intensity and total carotenoid contents showed highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.491∗∗), whereas no significant correlation was observed between kernel colour and β-carotene (r = 0.014). Based on the carotenoids studied, a set of 16 lines {HKI-3-4-8-6, HKI 34(1+2)-1, HKI 164-4(1-3), NP-06-07R-76-8, NP-06-07R-80-6, LQPM-42, LQPM-40, DML-288, DML-2, DML-112, DML-309, DML-45, BAJIM-08-27, BAJIM-13-1, HKI 1105 and HKI 1155} was identified as promising lines which can effectively be utilized in the future breeding programmes towards the development of nutritionally improved maize (Zea mays L.).