Physical Characteristics and Proximate Composition of Three Commercial Shrunken 2 Varieties of Sweet Corn in the Philippines as Influenced by Harvest Maturity

The physical and proximate characteristics of three commercial varieties of shrunken 2 sweet corn as affected by harvest maturities (18, 20 and 22 days after 100% silking) were evaluated. As sweet corn, there was a significant increase in length in SC1 and SC2. On the other hand all varieties ear diameter increased with maturity. The three varieties have significant differences in ear length and diameter. Lightness of kernels was not affected by maturity and varietal differences. Increasing a* and b* values suggested that the kernels became more red and yellow as they mature on the plant due to carotenogenesis. The a* and b* values of SC1 and SC2 were significantly affected by maturity while SC3 was not. In terms of chroma, only SC2 was significantly affected by harvest maturity, with an increased in color vividness as it matured in the plant. While hue values of the three varieties were not affected by harvest maturity. SC1 and SC2 kernel percentage moisture decreased significantly as sweet corn matures in the plant. Percentage ash content was not significantly affected by harvest maturity. On the other harvest maturity affected SC1 and SC2 percentage protein, but not their fiber content. The percentage fat and nitrogen free extract of SC1 kernel decreased as the plant matures. Mean energy content was significantly different with harvest maturity in all three varieties at a P value < 0.01 (SC1 and SC2) and P = 0.05 (SC3). Harvest maturity affected the physical and proximate composition of the three commercial varieties of shrunken 2 sweet corn in the Philippines.