Trehalose-Induced Changes in Seed Oil Composition and Antioxidant Potential of Maize Grown Under Drought Stress

The present investigation was conducted to determine if foliar-applied trehalose (an osmoprotectant) could ameliorate the adverse effects of water shortage on maize seed oil composition and oil antioxidant potential. Drought stress significantly reduced the seed oil but increased oleic acid and linolenic acid contents of the oil with a concomitant decrease in linoleic acid content, which resulted in an increased oil oleic/linoleic ratio in both maize cultivars. Water stress also increased the seed oil alpha- gamma- delta- and total tocopherols and flavonoids of both maize cultivars, however, oil phenolic content and oil antioxidant activity decreased. Exogenously applied trehalose positively influenced seed composition of both maize cultivars under non-stress and water stress conditions. Exogenous application of trehalose further increased the oil oleic and linolenic acid contents with a subsequent decrease in linoleic acid. Furthermore, exogenous application of trehalose increased the oil antioxidant activity in terms of oil DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity with an increase in oil tocopherols, total flavonoids and total phenolics contents.