The aim of this study was to investigate chemical composition of grain of 20
maize hybrids, from different maturity groups, to define their nutritional
quality from the point of main grain constituents: starch, total proteins,
soluble proteins, oil, phytate, inorganic phosphorus, and soluble phenolics,
as well as mass of 1.000 grains. A set of 20 ZP hybrids, FAO 400-800, were
grown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) at Zemun Polje (Serbia),
during the summer of 2009. Average content of proteins, oil and starch of
analyzed maize hybrids was 10.5%, 4.7% and 80.8%, respectively. Hybrids from
FAO maturity group 600 had highest grain mass (in average 419.5 g). Genetic
variability in seed phytate content was observed, with values ranging from
2.64 to 3.75, averaged 3.44 g kg-1. Inorganic phosphorus (Pi) concentrations
were between 0.120 ? g g-1 (ZP 805) to 0.415 ? g g-1 (ZP 588ex), averaged
0.24 ? g g-1. Content of soluble proteins varied from 54.33 to 78.74 mg g-1.
The high positive correlation was observed between total proteins and oil
content in hybrids, as well as between starch and phenolics content. Phytate
content was positively correlated with proteins, but this correlation was not
significant, while the correlation between phytate and mass of 1,000 grains
was positive and significant. A negative correlation occurred between phytate
and starch.