Screening of Zea mays L. Germplasm for the High Carotenoid Endosperm using Biochemical and Molecular Approaches

Background: In the rapid growing and busy world, the hidden hunger for the micronutrients, vitamins and protein is increasing on a high rate. Among which retinol is the key vitamin which cannot be synthesized by the humans and need to be supplied in the form of carotenoids. Methods: The present study focused in screening the best maize line with high carotenoid content. Carotenoid content was tested and quantified using HPLC. ε-LCY gene and β-HYD 3 were used to screen the best maize line. Result: Among 8 maize lines tested, 5732 showed high carotenoid content i.e., 24.47 mg/g when tested using conventional UV spectrophotometer studies. Quantification of individual carotenoid component was done by HPLC which showed lutein 7.548 mg/g, zeaxanthin 3.21 mg/g, b-cryptoxanthin 5.691 mg/g and b- carotene 8.455 mg/g were recorded in 5732 maize cultivars. Molecular screening using ε-LCY gene and β-HYD 3 revealed 5732 as the best carotenoid maize line with high carotenoid favorable alleles which can be further used for the inbreeding programs.