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Title: Comparison of Zn accumulation and speciation in kernels of sweetcorn and maize differing in maturity

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Understanding the speciation of Zn in edible portions of crops helps identify the most effective biofortification strategies to increase the supply of nutrients for improving the health and nutrition of consumers. Methods Kernels of 12 sweetcorn and three maize (Zea mays) varieties were analysed for Zn concentration and content. The speciation of the Zn in the embryos, endosperms and whole kernels at 21, 28 and 56 days after pollination (DAP) was then examined for one maize and one sweetcorn variety using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Key Results Averaged across all sweetcorn and maize varieties at 21 DAP, the embryo contributed 27–29% of the whole kernel Zn whilst the endosperm contributed 71–73 %. While sweetcorn embryos contributed a lower proportion to the total kernel Zn than those of maize, the proportion of total Zn in the embryo increased as kernels aged for both varieties, reaching 33 % for sweetcorn and 49% for maize at 28 DAP. Using XAS, it was predicted that an average of 90 % of the Zn in the embryos was present as Zn-phytate, while in the endosperm the Zn was primarily complexed with an N-containing ligand such as histidine and to amore » lesser extent with phytate. However, in maize endosperms, it was also observed that the proportion of Zn present as Zn-phytate increased as the kernel matured, thereby also probably decreasing its bioavailability in these mature maize kernels. Conclusions The apparent low bioavailability of Zn supplied in maize at its consumption stage (i.e. mature kernels) probably undermines the effectiveness of biofortification of this crop. Conversely, successful biofortification of Zn in sweetcorn and green maize consumed as immature kernels could potentially provide a good source of bioavailable Zn in human diets.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [3]
  1. The University of Queensland, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
  2. United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, USA
  3. The University of Queensland, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Gatton, Queensland, Australia, The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1581682
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC02-06CH11357
Resource Type:
Published Article
Journal Name:
Annals of Botany
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Annals of Botany Journal Volume: 125 Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 0305-7364
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Cheah, Zhong Xiang, Kopittke, Peter M., Scheckel, Kirk G., Noerpel, Matthew R., and Bell, Michael J. Comparison of Zn accumulation and speciation in kernels of sweetcorn and maize differing in maturity. United Kingdom: N. p., 2019. Web. doi:10.1093/aob/mcz179.
Cheah, Zhong Xiang, Kopittke, Peter M., Scheckel, Kirk G., Noerpel, Matthew R., & Bell, Michael J. Comparison of Zn accumulation and speciation in kernels of sweetcorn and maize differing in maturity. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcz179
Cheah, Zhong Xiang, Kopittke, Peter M., Scheckel, Kirk G., Noerpel, Matthew R., and Bell, Michael J. Sat . "Comparison of Zn accumulation and speciation in kernels of sweetcorn and maize differing in maturity". United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcz179.
@article{osti_1581682,
title = {Comparison of Zn accumulation and speciation in kernels of sweetcorn and maize differing in maturity},
author = {Cheah, Zhong Xiang and Kopittke, Peter M. and Scheckel, Kirk G. and Noerpel, Matthew R. and Bell, Michael J.},
abstractNote = {Abstract Background and Aims Understanding the speciation of Zn in edible portions of crops helps identify the most effective biofortification strategies to increase the supply of nutrients for improving the health and nutrition of consumers. Methods Kernels of 12 sweetcorn and three maize (Zea mays) varieties were analysed for Zn concentration and content. The speciation of the Zn in the embryos, endosperms and whole kernels at 21, 28 and 56 days after pollination (DAP) was then examined for one maize and one sweetcorn variety using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Key Results Averaged across all sweetcorn and maize varieties at 21 DAP, the embryo contributed 27–29% of the whole kernel Zn whilst the endosperm contributed 71–73 %. While sweetcorn embryos contributed a lower proportion to the total kernel Zn than those of maize, the proportion of total Zn in the embryo increased as kernels aged for both varieties, reaching 33 % for sweetcorn and 49% for maize at 28 DAP. Using XAS, it was predicted that an average of 90 % of the Zn in the embryos was present as Zn-phytate, while in the endosperm the Zn was primarily complexed with an N-containing ligand such as histidine and to a lesser extent with phytate. However, in maize endosperms, it was also observed that the proportion of Zn present as Zn-phytate increased as the kernel matured, thereby also probably decreasing its bioavailability in these mature maize kernels. Conclusions The apparent low bioavailability of Zn supplied in maize at its consumption stage (i.e. mature kernels) probably undermines the effectiveness of biofortification of this crop. Conversely, successful biofortification of Zn in sweetcorn and green maize consumed as immature kernels could potentially provide a good source of bioavailable Zn in human diets.},
doi = {10.1093/aob/mcz179},
journal = {Annals of Botany},
number = 1,
volume = 125,
place = {United Kingdom},
year = {Sat Nov 30 00:00:00 EST 2019},
month = {Sat Nov 30 00:00:00 EST 2019}
}

Journal Article:
Free Publicly Available Full Text
Publisher's Version of Record
https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcz179

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Cited by: 10 works
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