ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY IN SEEDS OF MAIZE GENOTYPES WITH DIFFERENT PERCENTAGE OF EXOTIC GERMPLASM

Kravic N., V. Andelkovic, V. Hadzi-Taskovic Sukalovic and M. Vuletic (2009): Antioxidant activity in seeds of maize genotypes with different percentage of exotic germplasm.- Genetika, Vol. 41, No. 1, 21-28. In order to broaden the genetic base or maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm, it is necessary to integrate exotic materials into adapted breeding materials. The aim of the study was to compare antioxidative systems of two adapted maize inbred lines (A and B) with exotic germplasm, Drought Tolerant Population (DTP), and their backcrosses with DTP (A1, A2 and B1, B2). The content of low-molecular weight antioxidants, proline and phenolics, as well as antioxidant capacity, detected as free radical scavenging activities against DPPH radical, were measured in maize seeds. Proline content in both, embryo and endosperm was higher in backcrosses than in inbred lines and DTP, and increased in embryo by getting higher percentage of exotic germplasm. Contrary, phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity of seeds, which were higher in adapted inbred lines than in DTP, were slightly decreased in their backcrosses with DTP.