Relationships between phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in corn silk

Corn silk (CS) has been used as traditional Chinese herb for centuries. However, the information on phytochemicals properties and CS production in different types of corn genotypes has not been available. The objectives of this study were to evaluate variability for the contents of phenolic compounds, flavonoid and anthocyanin and their antioxidant activities in CS and to identify corn types with high contents of the compounds and antioxidant activities (AA). Ten corn hybrids were evaluated with three replications. The contents of total phenolics (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), total anthocyanin (TAC) and AA were determined. Variations in the compound contents were observed in different CS varieties. The results indicated that baby corn (BC) had the highest CS yield basis. Purple waxy corn (PWC) had the highest contents of TPC, TFC and TAC. In addition, PWC and BC possessed the highest AA. AA was correlated with TPC and TFC. PWC was the most promising for high all contents and AA. Therefore, PWC and BC are superior for CS production for use in the functional food, nutraceutical industries and for breeding program in the future.