Comparative analysis of antioxidant potential and techno-functional properties of selected corn silk varieties at different developmental stages

This study evaluates the antioxidant potential of different varieties of corn silk at five developmental stages. Corn silk samples of five major varieties (SWARNA, TATA7009, SHUBHAM EARLY, KESHAR KING, and G5417) grown in Punjab, India, were analyzed for their phytochemical potential and techno-functional properties at five growth stages including stage 1 (immaturity), stage 2, stage 3, stage 4 and stage 5 (maturity). Antioxidant content and activity of these varieties at their physiological stages were analyzed. G5417 showed the highest activity for ABTS, FRAP, FRSA at stage 1 with the inhibitory activity of 84.16 +/- 0.55 TEAC (mg/gdw), 123.2 +/- 0.56%, and 65.33 +/- 1.21%, respectively. The antioxidant content including total phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) from the immature to mature stage. The lowest bulk density was observed in G5417 stage 5 (0.314 +/- 0.006 g/cm(3)), the Carr's index for G5417 stage 1, 4, and 5 were less than 15 which shows good flowability, the angle of repose for G5417 was 32.93 +/- 1.07 degrees which showed the good flowability. The water solubility index was observed highest for G5417 stage 1, 24.83 +/- 0.700%. The G5417 stage 5 showed the highest stability of emulsion i.e. 37.91 +/- 0.823%. The results confirm that the juvenile stage of G5417 (stage 1) showed the highest antioxidant content and activity and techno-functional properties. This makes it most likely a selection for the development of value-added products.