Maize���A potential source of human nutrition and health: A review

Anthocyanin pigments from a wide variety of edible and ornamental black, blue, pink, purple, red, and white wheat, barley, corn, rice, and wild rice were identified and quantified to evaluate their potential as natural colorants or functional food ingredients. The total anthocyanin contents varied significantly and exhibited a range of 7-3276 microg/g. Some grains, such as red rice and black rice, contained a limited number of pigments, whereas others, such as blue, pink, purple, and red corns, had complex anthocyanin profiles. Of the 42 anthocyanin compounds observed, 9 were characterized by comparison of the spectroscopic and chromatographic properties with those of authentic standards. The remaining compounds were tentatively identified on the basis of spectroscopic properties and electrospray ionization mass spectra. The most abundant anthocyanins were cyanidin 3-glucoside in black and red rices and in blue, purple, and red corns, pelargonidin 3-glucoside in pink corn, and delphinidin 3-glucoside in blue wheat.

Chitosan (CS) nanoparticles coated with zein has been newly demonstrated as a promising encapsulation and delivery system for hydrophilic nutrient with enhanced bioactivities in our previous study. In this study, a hydrophobic nutrient, α-tocopherol (TOC), was successfully encapsulated into zein/CS complex. The fabrication parameters, including zein concentration, zein/CS weight ratio, and TOC loading percentage, were systematically investigated. The physicochemical and structural analysis showed that the electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds were major forces responsible for complex formation. The scanning electron microscopy study revealed the spherical nature with smooth surface of complex. TOC encapsulation was also evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry. The particle size and zeta potential of the complex varied from 200 to 800 nm and +22.8 to +40.9 mV, respectively. The kinetic release profile of the TOC showed burst effect followed by slow release. Compared with zein nanoparticles, zein/CS complex provided better protection of TOC release against gastrointestinal conditions, due to CS coatings. Zein/CS complex is believed to be a promising delivery system for supplementation or treatment of hydrophobic nutrients or drugs. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.