Comparative Antioxidant Potential and Bioactivity of Maize (Zea mays) Ear Tissues from Different Genotypes

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of maize (Zea mays L.) in diabetic patients in vitro. Three varieties (Golden, Sultan and Agatti: 85) were used to study the level of antioxidants and bio-molecules. Results showed that maize ears parts of all three varieties were more effective inhibitor in the oxidation process. Variety Golden silks was found to contain abundant activity of protease (22488 units/g f.wt.), alpha-amylase (390 units /g f.wt.), total sugar contents (307 mg/g f.wt.), and nonreducing sugar (288 mg/g f.wt.), and husks were rich in reducing sugar contents (16.9 mg/g f.wt.), and grains (kernels) in (15 mg/g f.wt.) protein content. Variety Sultan silks contained total phenolic content (38100 mu M/g f.wt.), husk contained peroxidase activity (88655 U/g f.wt.), and grains manifested catalase (555 U/g f.wt.) activity. In varietyAgatti85 a highest activity of superoxide dismutase (292 U/g f.wt.) and malondialdehyde content (35 mu M/g f.wt.) was recorded in silks. The findings of this research showed that maize probably inhibits the reaction of oxidation and decreases the complications occurring in diabetes mellitus. It was concluded that performed active parameters (total phenolics, SOD, peroxidase, catalase) may be responsible for higher antioxidant activity, which can be successfully used to reduce the extent of diabetes in the patients. (C) 2015 Friends Science Publishers