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Review
. 2021 Jan 2;26(1):199.
doi: 10.3390/molecules26010199.

Colored Corn: An Up-Date on Metabolites Extraction, Health Implication, and Potential Use

Raffaella Colombo  1 , Lucia Ferron  1   2 , Adele Papetti  1
Affiliations
Review

Colored Corn: An Up-Date on Metabolites Extraction, Health Implication, and Potential Use

Raffaella Colombo et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Colored (orange, pink, red, purple, and blue) corn strongly attracted attention on its healthy properties mainly due to its anthocyanin and carotenoid composition which is also responsible for its pigmentation. The present review summarized the recent updates on the extraction and chemical characterization of the main plant secondary metabolites present in colored seeds, kernel, cob, husk, and silk. The main approaches used to stabilize the extracts have been discussed as well as their food and non-food uses. Both in vitro and in vivo (animal models) studies on the different effects (antibacterial, antimutagenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, effects on metabolic syndrome, diabetes, glucose and lipidic metabolism, and neuroprotection) of pigmented extracts on animal and human health have been summarized.

Keywords: anthocyanins; blue corn; colored corn; corn waste; corn-based food; extraction; non-food corn use; polyphenols; purple corn.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Scheme 1
Scheme 1
The main classes of compounds considered in this review are listed.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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