Color and chemical composition and of green corn produced under organic and conventional conditions

The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical properties of green corn, grown in both organic and conventional farming systems, using a completely randomized factorial design. Four corn varieties (AG 1051, BR 106, SWB 551 and VIVI) of green corn kernels were evaluated for color, proximate composi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lucineia de Pinho, Maria Cristina Dias Paes, Maria Beatriz Abreu Glória, Anna Christina Almeida, Cândido Alves Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos 2011-06-01
Series:Food Science and Technology
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0101-20612011000200014&lng=en&tlng=en
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Summary:The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical properties of green corn, grown in both organic and conventional farming systems, using a completely randomized factorial design. Four corn varieties (AG 1051, BR 106, SWB 551 and VIVI) of green corn kernels were evaluated for color, proximate composition, total calories, carotenoids and bioactive amines. The farming system affected some chemical and physical characteristics of green corn, but this effect was dependent upon variety. In general, organic green corn kernels were reddish (a* color component) and had higher levels of β-carotene compared to the conventional ones, suggesting that these characteristics are related. Moreover, organic green corn had higher levels of total carbohydrates and total energy compared to conventional varieties. On the other hand, crude fiber levels were higher in conventional grains - an unexpected result that deserves further investigation. Finally, the levels of cadaverine and spermine bioactive amines were not affected either by the corn variety or by the farming system.
ISSN:1678-457X