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Parle Milind et al. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2013, 4 (6)
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY
ISSN 2230 – 8407
www.irjponline.com
Review Article
ZEA MAIZE: A MODERN CRAZE
Parle Milind* and Dhamija Isha
Pharmacology Division, Dept. Pharm. Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana,
India
*Corresponding Author Email: mparle@rediffmail.com
Article Received on: 10/03/13 Revised on: 07/04/13 Approved for publication: 01/05/13
DOI: 10.7897/2230-8407.04609
IRJP is an official publication of Moksha Publishing House. Website: www.mokshaph.com
© All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Zea stands for ‘sustaining life’ and Mays stands for ‘life giver’. Zea mays is one of the oldest and most dynamic crop species, which has gained popularity in
modern world too, due to its applications in diverse dishes. Corn is produced in every continent of the world with the exception of Antarctica. It is an annual
monoecious sunny plant, surviving perfectly in nutrient rich, well-drained soil. Each and every part of the corn, from husk to corn silk is beneficial for the
society. There are more than 3,500 different uses for corn products. Corn does much more than feed people and livestock. The plant contains alkaloids,
flavonoids, saponins, maizenic acid, vitamins B1, K and minerals like potassium, phosphorous and zinc. Traditionally, Maize is used as an analgesic, antidiarrheal, anti-prostatitic, anti-lithiasis, anti-tumor, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. In this review
article, we have narrated miscellaneous uses of corn varieties and described the pharmacological activities, phytoconstituents, nutritional value and traditional
uses of maize. The maize has assorted uses like culinary, medicinal and industrial. Corn dishes like corn-meal, corn-flakes, popcorn, “makki ki roti” and corn
soup highlight its dominance all over the world. Therefore, maize has become a craze among modern youth.
KEY WORDS: Zea mays, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant, Diuretic, Hypoglycemic.
INTRODUCTION
The word Zea mays comes from two languages. Zea comes
from ancient Greek and is a generic name for cereal and
grains. Some scientists believe that Zea stands for "sustaining
life". Mays comes from the language Taino, meaning "life
giver." Maize or corn (Zea mays L.) is the world’s third
leading cereal crop, after wheat and rice. It probably
originated in Central America, specifically Mexico. Maize
belongs to family Poaceae and is a tall annual herb with an
extensive fibrous root system. It is a cross-pollinating species
with female and male flowers at separate places on the plant.
The United States is the largest producer of Zea mays,
accounting nearly for 40% of the total world’s production,
followed by China and Brazil. Maize provides nutrients for
humans and animals; and serve as a basic raw material for the
production of starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food
sweetener and more recently fuel. Corn has diverse culinary
applications all over the world. Mostly the sweet corn variety
is used in making corn dishes. Corn or maize is considered a
staple food in many parts of world. The most commonly
made corn recipe is popcorn. The sweet corn is commonly
eaten as raw and fondly used in soups, salads, as a garnish.
Corn is widely used in making corn-meal. Corn-meal, ‘makki
ki roti’ and the most common breakfast cereal, corn-flakes
are the most popular corn recipes. In traditional medicine,
corn is used for relieving diarrhea, dysentery, urinary tract
disorders, prostatitis, lithiasis, angina, hypertension and
tumor. The plant is pharmacologically exploited for
hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and diuretic
properties. The major maize growing states are Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana,
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, West
Bengal, Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir, jointly accounting
for over 95% of the national maize production. The green
plant has been used in the dairy and beef industries, as
fodder.
Botanical Description
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Subclass: Commelinidae
Order: Cyperales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Tribe: Andropogoneae
Genus: Zea
Species : Zea mays
International Synonyms
Synonym : Zea vulgaris Mill., Zea mays L. subsp. mays L.,
Zea macrosperma Klotzsch
Arabic : Dhurah, Surratul makkah
Chinese : Yu mi xu , Yu shu shu, Pao mi
Croatian : Kukuruz
Danish : Majs
Dutch : Maïs, Korrelmaïs, Turkse tarwe, Turkse koren
English : Maize (UK), Turkish wheat, Field corn, Corn
(USA), Indian corn
Estonian : Mais
Finnish : Maissi
French : Maïs, Blé des Indes, Blé de Turquie.
German : Körnermais, Echter Mais, Türkisches Korn,
Tuerkisher Mais,
Italian : Granturco, Granoturco, Formentone, Grano di
Turchia, Mais
Japanese : Toumorokoshi, Fiirudo koon.
Korean : Ok soo soo.
Malay : Jagong, Jagung (Indonesia).
Persian : Gaudume makka.
Portuguese : Milho, Milho forrageiro
Russian : Kukuruza obyknovennaia.
Spanish : Maíz, Maíz comun, Mijo turquesco, Mazorca de
maíz
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Parle Milind et al. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2013, 4 (6)
Swedish : Majs
Thai : Khaaophot (Khaophot), Khaaophot on (Baby corn).
Turkish : Kokoroz
Urdu : Anaaj.
Vietnamese : Ngô
Indian Synonyms
Bengali: Bhutta
Gujarati: Makai
Hindi : Anaj, Makka, Makaa'i
Malayalam : Cholam, Makkacholam
Punjabi: Makai
Sanskrit: Makkaya, Mahakaya
Tamil : Makka cholam, Mokkaiccoolam
Telugu: Mokkajanna
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The origin for Zea mays has been recognized as the
Mesoamerican region, now Mexico and Central America.
Domestication of maize commenced at least 7000 years ago,
as determined through paleohistorical records. In the 16th
century, Portuguese imported maize to Southeast-Asia from
America. The maize was familiarized to Spain by Columbus
and from Spain it extended to France, Italy and Turkey.
During 17th century maize was introduced in India. From
India it went to China, Philippines and the East Indies. Nowa-days corn is being grown in USA, China, Brazil, Argentina,
Mexico, South Africa, Rumania, Yugoslavia and India.
Climate and soil requirements
Maize is basically a sunny crop, so it requires warm and
moist climate. Annual rainfall of 60 cm is required,
throughout its growing stage. It cannot withstand frost at any
stage. Prolonged cloudy period is harmful for the crop but, an
intermittent sunlight and cloud of rain is the most ideal for its
growth. It needs full sunlight for its accelerated
photosynthetic activity. In India, maize is traditionally grown
in monsoon season, which is accompanied by high
temperature (<35° C) and rains. However, with the
development of new cultivars and appropriate production
technology, winter cultivation of maize has emerged as a
viable alternative. It needs fertile soil and thrives best in
deep, loamy soil along with abundant moisture. The ideal soil
for maize should be rich in organic matter and well-drained.
Soil pH should be in the range of 7.5 to 8.5 for good crop
growth.
Botanical Features
Maize is a tall, determinate annual plant varying in height
from 1 to 4 metres. The plant produces large, narrow,
opposing leaves, borne alternately along the length of a solid
stem. Maize is a monoecious plant, that is, the sexes are
partitioned into separate pistillate (ear), the female flower and
staminate (tassel), the male flower. The main shoot
terminates in a staminate tassel. Maize is generally
protandrous, means the male flower matures earlier than the
female flower.
The botanical features of various plant parts are as follows:
Root: Normally maize plants have three types of roots: i)
seminal roots - persist for long period, ii) adventitious roots,
fibrous roots developing from the lower nodes of stem below
ground level which are the effective and active roots of plant
and iii) brace or prop roots, produced by lower two nodes.
The roots grow very rapidly and almost equally outwards and
downwards. Favorable soils may allow corn root growth up
to 60 cm laterally and in depth.
Stem: The stem is 3-4 cm thick. The inter nodes are short and
fairly thick at the base of the plant; become longer and
thicker higher up the stem, and then taper again. The ear
bearing inter node is longitudinally grooved, to allow proper
positioning of the ear head (cob). The upper leaves in corn
are more responsible for light interception and are major
contributors of photosynthate to grain.
Flower: The apex of the stem ends in the tassel, an
inflorescence of male flowers and the female inflorescences
(cobs or ears) are borne at the apex of condensed, lateral
branches known as shanks protruding from leaf axils. The
male (staminate) inflorescence, a loose panicle, produces
pairs of free spikelets each enclosing a fertile and a sterile
floret. The female (pistillate) inflorescence, a spike, produces
pairs of spikelets on the surface of a highly condensed rachis
(central axis, or “cob”). The female flower is tightly covered
over by several layers of leaves, and so closed in by them to
the stem that they don’t show themselves easily until
emergence of the pale yellow silks from the leaf whorl at the
end of the ear. The silks are the elongated stigmas that look
like tufts of hair initially and later turn green or purple in
color. Each of the female spikelets encloses two fertile
florets, one of whose ovaries will mature into a maize kernel
once sexually fertilized by wind-blown pollen.
Fruit/Grain: The individual maize grain is botanically a
caryopsis, a dry fruit containing a single seed fused to the
inner tissues of the fruit case. The seed contains two sister
structures. One is a germ which includes the plumule and
radical from, which a new plant develop. The other part is an
endosperm, which provides nutrients for that germinating
seedling until the seedling establishes sufficient leaf area to
become an autotroph.
Pollination and Fertilization
In maize, the pollen shedding is not a continuous process and
usually begins two to three days prior to silk emergence and
continues for five to eight days. The silks are covered with
fine, sticky hairs which serve to catch and anchor the pollen
grains. Pollen shedding stops, when the tassel is too wet or
too dry and begins again, when temperature conditions are
favorable. Pollen grain remains viable for 18 to 24 hours,
under favorable conditions. Cool temperatures and high
humidity favor pollen longevity. Fertilization occurs after the
pollen grain is caught by the silk and germinates by growth
of the pollen tube down the silk channel within minutes of
coming in contact with a silk and the pollen tube grows the
length of the silk and enters the embryo sac in 12 to 28 hours.
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Parle Milind et al. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2013, 4 (6)
Figure 1: Zea mays plant
Figure 2: Zea mays kernel/fruit
Corn has numerous varieties, some of which are described as
under:
Dent corn derives it’s name from the dent or depression on
dried, matured kernel. Shrinkage of the soft, floury starch
within the hard starch to one side of the kernel evokes dent.
Dent corn is yellow or white in color. It is primarily used as a
feed for livestock. White dent corn is a preferred food in
Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Southern
Africa. Therefore, it is the most produced type of corn and
accounts for about 95% of all maize produced.
Flint corn has a smooth kernel due to a limited to nonexistent amount of soft starch contained within the hard
endosperm. The color varies from white to deep red. Flint
corn thrives in cool climate with wet soil at higher altitudes.
It matures earlier than other varieties of maize. Flints are
more resistant to fungi and insects, due to less moisture
absorbing capacity. Thus, it can be stored more durably than
other varieties.
Flour corn: resembles flint corn in size and shape. The color
is mostly white or blue in color. The endosperm contains soft,
mealy starch, thereby smoothly pulverized into flour. Flour
corn is mainly cultivated in the Southwestern United States
and Andean highlands of South America. In South America it
is used for making beer and special food preparations.
Sweet corn comprises of wrinkled kernels, which are
typically white or yellow. The sweetness is a result of a
genetic mutation in metabolism that prevents the sugars from
being completely transformed into starch. It has a soft, sugary
endosperm and thus is bred especially for consumption in an
immature state, like corn on the cob. It is grown mainly in the
United States.
Pod corn is grown almost exclusively for scientific research
in an effort to trace the genetic roots of corn. Each kernel of
pod corn is enclosed in a glumes, or husk.
Phytoconstituents
Sweet corn is a variety in the Zea mays species, namely var.
rugosa, convar. Saccharata. ‘Corn sweet factor’ is a glucoside
of 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-bezoxazin-3-one. The corn
silk contains galactan, xylan, dextrose and other compounds.
The seeds contain much sugar, zeaxanthin, protein, inositols,
hexaphosphoric acid, maizenic acid, resins and a fixed oil.
Kernel contains esters of indole-3-acetic acid and d-glucosehydroxy-2-indolinone-3-acetic acid1. Zea mays contains
cytokine zeatin, a biologically active purine derivative,
flavonoids, alkaloids, allantoin, saponins, volatile oil (about
0.2%), mucilage, vitamins C, E and K, minerals especially
potassium, starch, sugar, fat, maizenic acid, gluten, dextrin,
Figure 3: Male flower of Zea mays
Figure 4: Female flower of
Zea mays
glucose, cellulose, silica, phosphates of lime and magnesia. It
also contains isoquercitin, chrysanthemim, cyanogenetic
material, 6-methoxybenzoazoline, dicarboxylic acids such as
oxalic acid, polysaccharide, essential fatty acids, anthocyanin
and flavonoids glycosides and a triterpene cyclosadol. Maize
kernel contains carbohydrates 66.2%, protein 11.1%, fat
3.6%, minerals 1.5% and fibres 2.7%. It was found to have βcarotene, biotin, choline, pantothenic acid, folic acid,
pyridoxine, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin E, minor
amount of vitamin C, N-(ϱ-coumaryl)tryptamine and Nferulyltryptamine2. It also contains cinnamoyl hydroxycitric
acid derivatives, sixty one volatile compounds, out of which,
geosmin was a highly odorous compound. Corn silk (CS) is
rich in phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins, pcoumaric acid, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, derivatives
of hesperidin and quercetin, and hydroxycinnamic acid
derivatives composed of p-coumaric and ferulic acid3. It also
contains maizenic acid, flavonoid maysin, rutin, flavon-4-ols,
chlorogenic acid, saponins, volatile oils (alpha terpinol,
menthol, carvacrol, thymol, citronellol, eugenol), fixed oil,
resin, sugars, phytosterols, mucilage, tannin and cglycosylflavones4, 5. In addition, CS also contained
derivatives of cinnamic acid, glucose, rhamnose and
minerals, including sodium (0.05%), potassium (15%), iron
(0.0082%), zinc (0.016%) and chloride (0.25%)6. The
proximate compositions of corn silk consists of 9.65%
moisture, 3.91% ash, 0.29% crude fat, 17.6% crude protein
and 40% crude fiber7. Corn silk comprises of style and
stigma. Style of Zea mays contains constituents such as as
lumichrome, chrysoeriol, genistein, adenosine, guanosine,
uracil, acetovanillone, vanillin, vanillic acid, 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone,
stigmast-4-en-3-one,
β-sitosterol,
stigmasterol,
stigmastanone,
7alpha-hydroxysitosterol8.
Pollen contains flavonol glycosides of quercetin,
isorhamnetin and kaempferol9. Roots contain 2-(2-hydroxy7-methoxy-1.4-benzoxazin-3-one)-β-D-glucoside.
Pharmacological Uses
Diuresis and Kaliuresis effect
Corn silk (CS) aqueous extract exhibited diuretic and
kaliuretic effect in water-loaded conscious rats. But no
variation was observed in proximal tubular function, Na+,
Li+ or uric acid excretion, when studied via creatinine and
lithium clearance6. Pinheiro reported significant increase in
urine flow and Na+ and K+ excretion in anaesthetized Wistar
rats.10
Hypoglycemic agent
CS aqueous extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels
in alloxan induced hyperglycemic mice and STZ induced
diabetes rats. The mechanism of action of Corn silk for its
anti-diabetic effect appears to be related to i) Partial recovery
of damaged pancreatic β-cells ii) healing of injured β-cells
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Parle Milind et al. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2013, 4 (6)
iii) increase in serum insulin levels iv) reduction in
glycohemoglobin (HbAl) concentration v) regeneration of
injured β-cells vii) improved glucose tolerance viii) reduction
in serum lipid level, total cholesterol and total triglyceride.11,
12
Anti-fatigue activity
Corn silk flavonoids raised swimming time in mice,
accompanying diminished levels of blood lactate, blood urea
nitrogen (BUN) and elevated hepatic glycogen concentration.
These results manifested anti-fatigue and enhanced exercise
tolerance property of Corn silk.13
Nephrotoxicity reduction
CS administration dose dependently prevented GM-induced
interstitial nephritis and reduced serum creatinine level.14
Anti-inflammatory activity
Corn silk ethanolic extract elicited significant TNF-α
antagonistic activity. The extract efficiently abolished the
TNF-α and LPS-induced adhesiveness of EAhy 926
endothelial cells to monocytic U937 cells. Corn silk
possesses important therapeutic potential for TNF-α and
LPS-mediated leukocyte adhesion and trafficking15. CS
extract diminished cell migration, exudate formation,
oxidative stress, TNF-α, IL-1β, VEGF-α, and IL-17A and
blocked inflammation-related events (ICAM-1 and iNOS),
illustrating its anti-inflammatory effect.16
Anti-oxidant activity
Corn silk was extracted to prepare five fractions viz. ethanol
extract, petroleum ether fraction, acetic ether fraction, nbutanol fraction and water fraction. The butanolic fraction
exhibited the highest antioxidant and free radical scavenging
activity. The two flavone glycosides isolated from butanolic
fraction viz., isoorientin-2”-O-α-L-rhamnoside and 3”methoxymaysin, were also found to possess potent
antioxidant moieties3, 17. Ethanolic extract of the Egyptian
corn silk reflected profound free radical scavenging activity5.
CS ethanol extract inhibited γ-radiation-induced damage in
liver, reduced the MDA content in a dose-dependent manner
and safeguarded the liver from GSH depletion. CS flavonoids
extract provided protection against oxidative stress induced
by exhaustive exercise in mice.18
Traditional Uses
In the traditional system of medicine, maize is found to be
effective as an:
· Analgesic
· Astringent
· Anti-allergic
· Emollient
· Against skin rashes
· Against Sore throat
· Anti-angina
· Anti-hypertensive
· Against Biliousness
· Urinary disorders including dysuria, cystitis, Urethritis,
Nocturnal enuresis
· Anti-lithiasis
· Anti-diarrheal
· Anti-dysentry
· Anti-tumor
· Anti-prostatitis
· Anti-gonorroheal
Therapeutic Uses
· Corn silk is utilized as a medicine in renal problems for
both adults and children, in Mexico. It also helps in
genito-urinary complaints.
· Corn silk minimizes edema, gout, cystitis and
rheumatism, due to its anti-inflammatory property.
· Chief reputation of corn is its potent anti-prostatitis
capability.
· Corn lowers LDL cholesterol and guards against cardiac
diseases, diabetes and hypertension.
Strange Facts
· Corn silk is placed within a cradle, hung over a mirror for
protection and pasted on the door with a belief that it
provides good luck.
· Corn is produced in every continent of the world with the
exception of Antarctica.
· About 800 kernels are present in 16 rows on each ear of
corn.
· The corncob (ear) is actually part of the corn plant’s
flower.
· The main ingredient in most dry pet food is corn.
· Corn is America's number one field crop. Corn leads all
other crops in value and volume of production.
· The corn plant has both male and female parts. The silk is
the female part while the tassel is the male part.
· Our bacon and egg breakfast, glass of milk at lunch, or
hamburger for supper were all produced with sweet corn.
· There are more than 3,500 different uses for corn
products. Corn does much more than feed people and
livestock!
· It is processed and used in baby food, chewing gum,
dessert icing, peanut butter, antibiotics, potato chips, ice
creams, cakes and marshmallows.
· It's also used in the manufacturing of photographic film,
in the production of plastics, alcohol, ink, paint, glue,
shoe polish, fireworks, and rust blockading.
· Corn has an incredibly long shelf life? Archeologists have
been able to track 1,000-year-old popcorn! (Wonder how
that tasted!!!)
· The Indian word maize means "sacred mother" or "life
giver."
· Corn-meal was also sprinkled across the doorway to keep
enemies out.
· Fabrics used to make your clothing are strengthened by
cornstarch.
· The books are bound with corn-starch.
· Corn is also used in such products as soaps, toothpaste
and cosmetics.
· The most common breakfast cereal is cornflakes.
· Corn Oil is used as cooking oil.
· Corn Silk reduces blood clotting time.
· Zea mays Silk extract provides a smooth texture and helps
in skin maintenance due to Zinc Oxide. Corn starch was
used for chapped skin and for bee stings.
· Corn is a favorite remedy for the treatment of warts and
corns.
· Nosebleeds could be prevented by wearing a necklace of
red corn kernels as an amulet.
· The oil of corn was used for treating dandruff.
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Parle Milind et al. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2013, 4 (6)
· Corn meal formed a poultice for headache and when,
mixed with onion, for pneumonia.
· Corn contains thiamine, which boosts memory, cognitive
functions and neuronal health.
· Folate content of corn is an essential requirement, during
pregnancy.
· Corn is rich in phosphorus, which helps to maintain
normal growth, kidney function and bone health.
CONCLUSION
Corn is America's number one field crop. Corn leads all other
crops in value and volume of production. Corn is produced in
every continent of the world with the exception of Antarctica.
There are more than 3,500 different uses for corn products.
Corn does much more than feed people and livestock. All
three Indian meals include corn in one form or the other.
Breakfast consists of corn-flakes mixed with milk, hamburger
made up from sweet corn is consumed at lunch or supper
becomes special with ‘makki ki roti’ and ice creams. Corn
has incredibly long shelf life. Corn contains thiamine, which
boosts memory, cognitive functions and neuronal health.
Folate content of corn is an essential component, especially
during pregnancy. Corn is rich in phosphorous, which helps
to maintain normal growth, kidney function. Corn is safe and
non-toxic. Pharmacological studies have shown its
remarkable medicinal properties such as antioxidant, antifatigue, hypoglycemic and effective diuretic agent. Therefore,
maize has recently become a craze among modern youth.
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Cite this article as:
Parle Milind and Dhamija Isha. Zea maize: A modern craze. Int. Res. J.
Pharm. 2013; 4(6):39-43
Page 43