Summary
This comparative field study evaluated how altitude within the Andean region influences the metabolic composition and bioactive potential of purple corn, a crop native to these highlands. Results indicate that highland cultivation conditions enhance phenolic and bioactive compound accumulation in kernels, whereas cob flavonoid levels respond more markedly to highland stress; primary metabolite profiles suggest distinct carbohydrate and amino acid partitioning under highland abiotic stress. The findings provide evidence for geographic optimisation of purple corn cultivation and selective breeding to enhance nutritionally relevant traits.
UK applicability
Direct application to UK agriculture is limited owing to purple corn's adaptation to Andean conditions and the substantial climatic differences; however, the methodology demonstrating how altitude-driven environmental stress influences secondary and primary metabolite profiles may inform UK research on stress-responsive nutrient density in temperate cereal crops.
Key measures
Total phenolic content, DPPH and ABTS antioxidant capacity, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, anthocyanins, quercetin derivatives, ash, crude fibre, primary polar metabolites (monosaccharides, amino acids, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates), yield and physical characteristics
Outcomes reported
The study characterised phenolic and primary polar metabolites in purple corn kernels and cobs from two Peruvian Andean locations (lowland and highland) using UHPLC and GC-MS, and evaluated in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory bioactivities. Highland-grown purple corn demonstrated higher phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity in kernels, whilst cobs showed elevated flavonoids; carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism markers were consistently higher in highland samples.
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