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Characterization of Major Carotenoids in Yellow Maize Lines of Differing Pigment Concentration¹

Major carotenoids—polyoxy, zeaxanthin, lutein, cryptoxanthin, zeinoxanthin, and carotenes—were determined in 15 lines, 5 high-carotenoid exotic strains, and 5 crosses of maize, Zea mays L. In general, zeaxanthin and lutein were major carotenoids. In two flint types, zeaxanthin accounted for 67% of the total carotenoids. However, in certain color separations, cryptoxanthin was the major component. The data indicate that selection for any one of the major carotenoids should be possible. In another phase of the study, seeds from a dark yellow by white segregating population were separated into nine recognizable color classes. Zeaxanthin was the only fraction to increase before the dark lemon separation, although all fractions except polyoxy showed a sudden increase with this separation. Zeinoxanthin was the major carotenoid in the dark temon but ,declined as total carotenoid level increased. Zeaxanthin and lutein were the major carotenoids in all separations darker than light yellow. The data show that it is possible to identify phenotypically high-carotenoid segregates with considerable accuracy when a suitable background is used.

Key Words: carotenes • xanthophylls • corn

² Formerly Agronomist USDA, and Agronomist and Professor of Agronomy, Mississippi State Univ.; presently, Professor of Plant Breeding, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 14850.

³ Chemist, Northern Utilization Research and Development Division, ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Ill. 61604.

Received for publication June 10, 1968.