Zinc distribution in structural components of high kernel‑zinc maize and its retention after milling

High kernel‑zinc maize (HKZM) has the potential to contribute to addressing zinc deficiency in regions with high maize consumption, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, milling HKZM may lead to loss of zinc when removing the pericarp and embryo. This study evaluated the zinc distribution in...

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Main Authors: Taleon, Victor, Palacios-Rojas, Natalia, Dollah, Yusuf, Rosales, Aldo, Kalejaiye, Olatundun, Menkir, Abebe
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Elsevier 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175090
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author Taleon, Victor
Palacios-Rojas, Natalia
Dollah, Yusuf
Rosales, Aldo
Kalejaiye, Olatundun
Menkir, Abebe
author_browse Dollah, Yusuf
Kalejaiye, Olatundun
Menkir, Abebe
Palacios-Rojas, Natalia
Rosales, Aldo
Taleon, Victor
author_facet Taleon, Victor
Palacios-Rojas, Natalia
Dollah, Yusuf
Rosales, Aldo
Kalejaiye, Olatundun
Menkir, Abebe
author_sort Taleon, Victor
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description High kernel‑zinc maize (HKZM) has the potential to contribute to addressing zinc deficiency in regions with high maize consumption, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, milling HKZM may lead to loss of zinc when removing the pericarp and embryo. This study evaluated the zinc distribution in kernel components of HKZM maize grown in different environments, and examined how milling affected its zinc concentration. The zinc concentration in HKZM lines was 27.0–30.7 μg g−1 while in conventional maize it was 19.5–22.6 μg g−1. Zinc in maize endosperm represented 20.5 to 28.2 % of the total kernel zinc while that in the embryo represented 68.1 to 75.7 %. HKZM retained 43 % of its kernel zinc after milling, resulting in flour with 5 μg g−1 higher zinc concentration compared to regular maize flour. Environmental factors had a significant effect on kernel zinc concentrations. Maize grain from commercial mills had 21 μg g−1 zinc, with zinc losses of 22 % to 65 % during milling, resulting in flours with 6–10 μg g−1 of zinc. While HKZM shows promise in alleviating zinc deficiency, its anticipated impact may be limited in regions where refined maize is frequently used for making foods. The development of maize varieties with higher zinc concentration in the endosperm, along with promoting increased consumption of less refined maize products can boost zinc intake for deficient populations.
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spelling CGSpace1750902025-10-26T12:55:35Z Zinc distribution in structural components of high kernel‑zinc maize and its retention after milling Taleon, Victor Palacios-Rojas, Natalia Dollah, Yusuf Rosales, Aldo Kalejaiye, Olatundun Menkir, Abebe zinc maize milling nutrient deficiencies High kernel‑zinc maize (HKZM) has the potential to contribute to addressing zinc deficiency in regions with high maize consumption, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, milling HKZM may lead to loss of zinc when removing the pericarp and embryo. This study evaluated the zinc distribution in kernel components of HKZM maize grown in different environments, and examined how milling affected its zinc concentration. The zinc concentration in HKZM lines was 27.0–30.7 μg g−1 while in conventional maize it was 19.5–22.6 μg g−1. Zinc in maize endosperm represented 20.5 to 28.2 % of the total kernel zinc while that in the embryo represented 68.1 to 75.7 %. HKZM retained 43 % of its kernel zinc after milling, resulting in flour with 5 μg g−1 higher zinc concentration compared to regular maize flour. Environmental factors had a significant effect on kernel zinc concentrations. Maize grain from commercial mills had 21 μg g−1 zinc, with zinc losses of 22 % to 65 % during milling, resulting in flours with 6–10 μg g−1 of zinc. While HKZM shows promise in alleviating zinc deficiency, its anticipated impact may be limited in regions where refined maize is frequently used for making foods. The development of maize varieties with higher zinc concentration in the endosperm, along with promoting increased consumption of less refined maize products can boost zinc intake for deficient populations. 2025-10 2025-06-13T18:33:55Z 2025-06-13T18:33:55Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175090 en Open Access Elsevier Taleon, Victor; Palacios-Rojas, Natalia; Dollah, Yusuf; Rosales, Aldo; Kalejaiye, Olatundun; and Menkir, Abebe. 2025. Zinc distribution in structural components of high kernel‑zinc maize and its retention after milling. Food Research International 217(October 2025): 116830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116830
spellingShingle zinc
maize
milling
nutrient deficiencies
Taleon, Victor
Palacios-Rojas, Natalia
Dollah, Yusuf
Rosales, Aldo
Kalejaiye, Olatundun
Menkir, Abebe
Zinc distribution in structural components of high kernel‑zinc maize and its retention after milling
title Zinc distribution in structural components of high kernel‑zinc maize and its retention after milling
title_full Zinc distribution in structural components of high kernel‑zinc maize and its retention after milling
title_fullStr Zinc distribution in structural components of high kernel‑zinc maize and its retention after milling
title_full_unstemmed Zinc distribution in structural components of high kernel‑zinc maize and its retention after milling
title_short Zinc distribution in structural components of high kernel‑zinc maize and its retention after milling
title_sort zinc distribution in structural components of high kernel zinc maize and its retention after milling
topic zinc
maize
milling
nutrient deficiencies
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175090
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AT kalejaiyeolatundun zincdistributioninstructuralcomponentsofhighkernelzincmaizeanditsretentionaftermilling
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