Color of Corn Grains and Carotenoid Profile of Importance for Human Health

This paper aims to study the influence of the color of the grains in the profile of carotenoids in four different Brazilian genotypes. The selection of ears within the same genotype was based on a color scale, considering the lighter (lightest yellow) in one group and the most colorful (darkest orange) in another group. Significant interactions between the color of the grains and the genotypes for all the variables were detected in addition to genetic variability for both groups. The colored ears of corn showed a high level of total carotenoids and fractions in RS 535 and RS 445, and the colorful ears of genotype RS 535 showed 300% more alpha + beta carotenes in relation to lighter of this same material. The results of this study showed the influence of genotype on the grain color and content of carotenoids, indicating that breeders have the flexibility to make selection of some genotypes based on grain color.