Journal
PLANTA
Volume 250, Issue 1, Pages 219-227Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03162-x
Keywords
Bioavailability; Embryo; Endosperm; Nutrient; Phytate; Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS); Zea mays; Zinc
Categories
Funding
- Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
- Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) [SMCN/2012/029]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Main conclusionIn sweetcorn (Zea mays L.), embryo Zn is accumulated mainly as Zn-phytate, whereas endosperm Zn is complexed with a N- or S-containing ligand.Understanding the speciation of Zn in crop plants helps improve the effectiveness of biofortification efforts. Kernels of four sweetcorn (Zea mays L.) varieties were analysed for Zn concentration and content. We also assessed the speciation of the Zn in the embryo, endosperm, and pericarp in situ using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The majority of the Zn was in the endosperm and pericarp (72%), with the embryo contributing 28%. Approximately 79% of the Zn in the embryo accumulated as Zn-phytate, whereas in the endosperm most of the Zn was complexed with a N- or S-containing ligand, possibly as Zn-histidine and Zn-cysteine. This suggests that whilst the Zn in the endosperm and pericarp is likely to be bioavailable for humans, the Zn in the embryo is of low bioavailability. This study highlights the importance of targeting the endosperm of sweetcorn kernels as the tissue for increasing bioavailable Zn concentration.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available