Impact of reduced-phosphate-availability on essential micronutrients in maize for human consumption
It is hypothesized that the contents of essential and non-essential micronutrients and phytate in maize grains are influenced by the availability of phosphate in the soil. The altered profiles might also affect the storage stability of maize-based products as well as the pro-atherosclerotic potential for humans.
In the first stage of the project, the content of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) in maize grains from different genotypes and locations with varying phosphate concentrations in the soil will be determined. During the second project phase, the effects of the altered micronutrient profiles and of food processing on shelf-life of maize-based products, on atherosclerosis risk, and on micronutrient bioavailability will be assessed.
The figure above shows the extraction and analysis of micronutrients and phytate from maize.
