Abstract:

This study is dedicated to the development of iron- and zinc-rich high folate maize (Fe ≥ 40 mg/kg, Zn ≥ 40 mg/kg, folate ≥ 150 μg/100 g), to improve the utilization rate of folate, and to prolong the shelf-life of freshly-eaten iron- and zinc-rich high folate maize. Five groups of iron- and zinc-treated groups with different concentrations and one group of clear water control group were set up, and the foliar spraying of iron and zinc mixed micronutrient fertilizer was carried out by unmanned aerial vehicles to obtain iron- and zinc-rich high folate maize. Different processing techniques were adopted to treat the obtained high folate maize to analyze the changes of folate content in the iron- and zinc-rich high folate maize under different processing and storage conditions, and to screen out the optimal processing and storage methods. Foliar spraying of iron and zinc mixed micronutrient fertilizer on high folate maize during the growth period significantly increased the iron and zinc content in the kernels, achieving the effect of iron and zinc nutrient fortification. The rate of folate loss during processing of vacuum-packed fresh maize was 11.97%, and the rate of folate loss during processing of vacuum-packed instant maize was 23.36%. Combined with the loss rate of folic acid in different processes and the changes of folic acid content under different storage conditions, the best effect of vacuum-packed instant maize was achieved by storing it at 4℃ for 60 d.

Key words: iron- and zinc-rich, high-folate maize, nutrition enrichment, folic acid, folate loss rate, processing and storage, foliar spray, mineral element