Metabolomic Profiling of Native Yucatan Maizes (Zea mays L.): A Strategy for Harnessing Biodiversity

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a globally significant crop. In the Yucatan Peninsula, native races such as Tuxpeo, Dzit Bacal, and Nal Tel exhibit unique genetic diversity and are rich in phenolic compounds. This study characterized the bioactive composition of these maizes, focusing on phenolic and antioxidant activity. From the 100 maize populations collected, 24 were selected based on intense coloration (13 purple (P) and 11 red (R)). Analyses included colorimetry, total soluble phenols (TSP), antioxidant capacity (FRAP and DPPH), and high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS) for metabolomic profiling. Results revealed significant differences in phenolic content and antioxidant activity among populations, with the Chac chob 6 (R) population showing the highest TSP (1.45 mg g^-1) and FRAP (3.17 mg g^-1) values. Metabolomics identified 512 molecular entities with anthocyanins dominating in purple maize and other flavonoids in red maize. Multivariate analyses revealed distinct metabolic profiles among the populations.