[Chemical composition and digestibility of mote]

White and yellow maize grains (Zea mays amylacea, capia), polished by means of heat treatment with lime and ashes were analyzed (maize for mote); the chemical composition and digestibility in vitro of these grains cooked in boiling water were studied (mote), they were obtained under standardized conditions (laboratory) to compare them with the ones purchased at stores. The composition of nutrients was similar in polished grains, standing out the white ones from laboratory with a protein and sodium content of 9.95 100 g/100 g and 80.33 mg/100 g in the ones processed with ashes respectively and calcium (979.70 mg/100 g) in the ones treated with lime. Motes purchased at stores were analyzed and turned out to be chemically similar to the ones from laboratory. In the white motes with ashes of this last group, values of sodium, iron and potassium (28,02; 7,95 and 75.64 mg/100 g respectively) were higher than those that received treatment with lime (white and yellow), which presented a high calcium content (464.97 and 430.79 mg/100 g respectively). The digestibility was superior in the samples with lime, 79% in the purchased ones and 80% in the standardized ones.