ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy and chemometric analysis applied to discrimination of landrace maize flours produced in southern Brazil

Abstract

This work aims at discriminating flours of 26 maize landraces from southern Brazil, by using the Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and chemometrics (principal components analysis -PCA). PCA applied to the FTIR spectra in the 3-600 (whole spectrum) and 1650-1500 cm )1 (fingerprint region of proteins) spectral windows clearly discriminated the Amarela˜o landrace. Quantitative and semi-qualitative analysis of proteins showed a wide range among the fractions, mainly of prolamine (13.47-28.43 g Kg )1 ) and glutelin (5.57-30.98 g Kg )1 ) contents. Pixurum 6, Pixurum 5, and MPA1 landraces are of superior nutritional value for their albumin, globulin, and glutelin contents. PCA of the spectral dataset in the fingerprint region to carbohydrates (1200-950 and 1065-950 cm )1 ) also including commercial standards of amylose and amylopectin was able in separating the Moroti genotype, which grouped with the amylopectin standard. Thus, ATR-FTIR and PCA showed to be useful tools for the quick screening and discrimination of maize with distinct chemical composition.

Carotenoid and anthocyanin contents of grains of Brazilian maize landraces

“…Pigmented varieties are raw materials for the preparation of tortillas and the drink ‘chicha‐morada’. However, for the Brazilian maize landraces studies of this nature are few or non‐existent, despite the potential that some locally grown varieties have due to the intense pigmentation of their grains and other tissues such as flowers3, 39 and leaves 40. In fact, at present, most of the colored Brazilian maize is used for ornamental purpose due to its colorful appearance.…”

Yield stability and lower susceptibility to abiotic stresses of improved open-pollinated and hybrid maize cultivars

“…1). Nevertheless, in many parts of the world, farmers still keep these openpollinated cultivars and also generating new ones (Kuhnen et al 2010), even though progressively, these open-pollinated cultivars have been replaced by modern cultivars. Thereby, a valuable source of germplasm for meeting the future needs of sustainable agriculture in the context of climate change is lost.…”

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of maize (Zea mays) subjected to progressive drought reveals involvement of lipids, amides and carbohydrates

“…The grains can be rich in protein, oil and starch (Kuhnen et al, 2010). Maize is not only important for feeding the growing human population but is also increasingly being used for biomass and biofuel purposes (Ben-Iwo et al, 2016).…”

“…Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a method that measures the vibrations of molecular bonds and generates a spectrum that is considered the metabolic fingerprint of a sample (Amir et al, 2013;Kuhnen et al, 2010). It has been used as a tool for the analysis of plants, grain, soil, microalgae and in detecting microorganisms in food (Dean et al, 2010;Kamnev, 2008;Kuhnen et al, 2010;Lahlali et al, 2014, Winder andGoodacre, 2004).…”

“…It has been used as a tool for the analysis of plants, grain, soil, microalgae and in detecting microorganisms in food (Dean et al, 2010;Kamnev, 2008;Kuhnen et al, 2010;Lahlali et al, 2014, Winder andGoodacre, 2004). FTIR spectroscopy is a powerful and emerging tool that has the potential to be used to understand maize response to drought stress (Amir et al, 2013).…”