Seed Composition and Seed Oil Antioxidant Activity of Maize Under Water Stress

The changes in seed composition and seed oil quality and antioxidant capacity in two maize cultivars Agaiti-2002 (drought tolerant) and EV-1098 (drought sensitive) grown under field drought conditions were assessed. Both maize varieties used in the present study are widely cultivated in Pakistan and are an important source for developing different maize hybrids. At the early vegetative stage, plants of both maize cultivars were subjected to normal irrigation and water stress conditions. Overall, seed oil, alpha-, gamma-, delta- and total tocopherols, and flavonoids increased considerably due to water stress in both cultivars. However, oil phenolics carotenoid and DPPH scavenging activity were decreased due to water stress. By drawing on the relationship between different components of seed oil such as oil lipophilic antioxidant compounds, seed oil phenolics carotenoid and DPPH scavenging activity; it is clear that oil antioxidant activity was positively associated with oil phenolic and carotenoid contents.