Total phenolics, total anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of native and elite blue maize hybrids (Zea mays L.)

Free and bound phenolics, antioxidant capacity and anthocyanins content of five elite blue maize hybrids and two native blue varieties grown in Mexico highlands were evaluated. Phenolic content of free and bound fractions was found from 1037 to 1488 and from 9064 to 11,987 mg gallic acid/kg, respectively. The free phenolic fraction of hybrid maize showed 3.7-fold higher hydrophilic antioxidant capacity than landrace counterparts. The highest anthocyanin content was found in hybrid 503 x 67 (1052 mg Cy3Glu/kg), which represented 73.1% of the free phenolics. Results indicated that elite blue maize hybrids could be an important source of antioxidant compounds with potential for either food or nutraceutical industries.