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The aim. The aim of the study was to study the content of polysaccharide fractions depending on the dissolution, qualitative composition and quantitative content of sugars in corn silk, leaves and roots. Materials and methods. To study different fractions of polysaccharides - water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPS), pectin substances (PS), hemicelluloses A (HC A) and B (HM B) used a gravimetric method based on the extraction of polysaccharide fractions with a suitable solvent followed by sedimentation and weighing of the sediment. Determination of the qualitative composition and quantitative content of monosaccharides in corn medicinal plant materials (MPM) was carried out by the method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Results. Conducted studies of corn silk, leaves and roots carbohydrates using the fractionation method indicate the following trend of BAS accumulation in the studied raw materials: the content of WSPS and PS in corn silk exceeded the content of these compounds in other types of raw materials - 4.07±0.14 % and 7.20±0.29 %, respectively; leaves accumulated the most HC A and HC B compared to the content of these fractions in other samples - 6.81±0.21 % and 21.20±0.84 %, respectively. It was established by the GC/MS method that 4 substances were identified in corn silk in the free state: arabinose, glucose, galactose and fructose. After hydrolysis 5 substances were identified in corm silk - arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose, galactose. Among the free sugars 3 compounds were found in corn leaves - glucose, fructose and sucrose. After hydrolysis, 4 compounds were identified in in corn leaves - arabinose, xylose, glucose and galactose. In corn roots 3 compounds are found in a free form - glucose, fructose and sucrose. After hydrolysis 4 compounds were identified in corn roots - arabinose, xylose, glucose and galactose. Conclusions. The obtained results indicate a significant content of polysaccharides and sugars in the raw materials of corn, which makes it possible to predict the anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, adsorbing, energetic activity of the studied types of corn plant raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corn (Zea mays L.) stalk nitrate test (CSNT) is a postharvest plant test that provides feedback on N supply vs. crop needs of a growing season. As such, test results can provide information on the need for adjustments in N management in future years. However, CSNT-N can be variable within fields. The aim of this study was to (i) describe and relate within-field CSNT-N and corn silage yield spatial variability and (ii) to evaluate a yieldbased, targeted, CSNT sampling alternative. In 2013, five corn fields were grid sampled to determine the impact of sampling density on accuracy of CSNT-N classification for the whole field. Close-proximity variability (within a 3-m row) was determined as well. In 2014, the study was expanded to include three additional fields with 2013 and 2014 yield data. Results showed similar means and standard deviation (SD) for close-proximity sampling and whole-field sampling. Thus, time and resources invested in CSNT sampling can be reduced with close-proximity sampling. Current sampling guidelines (composite sample per field using a sampling intensity of 2.5 stalks ha-1) resulted in probabilities of estimating a field's mean CSNT-N of 25, 32, and 72% for coefficients of variation (CV) of ±6.4, ±11, and ±22%, respectively. High-yielding areas had more homogenous CSNTN values than low-yielding areas. The analysis of corn stalks per yield zone resulted in reduced CSNT-N spatial variability. Even intense sampling strategies for whole fields can result in interpretation errors while yield-based CSNT sampling results in more meaningful information for N management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Manure-borne antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) are of environmental concern due to their potential to be transferred into the food-web via plant-uptake. In this study, Zea mays L. seeds were grown in three different soil conditions: soil without dairy manure, dairy manure-amended soil, and antimicrobial spiked dairy manure-amended soil, to investigate the potential uptake of antimicrobials and ARGs present in manure. The antimicrobial spiked manure consisted of dairy manure fortified with 1 mg/Kg of each individual antimicrobial compounds belonging to the sulfonamide and tetracycline classes. Samples of the Zea mays L. plants were harvested over the course of three weeks to determine potential uptake of antimicrobials from soil to plant shoots, and to compare prevalence of ARGs in manure amended soils and plant tissue. Antimicrobial analysis was performed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and ARGs (sul1 , tetO , and OXA-1) were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The study found that both tetracycline and sulfamerazine antimicrobials bioaccumulated in the Zea mays L., reaching concentrations of nearly 3000 ng/g and 1260 ng/g, respectively. Tetracycline residues predominated in the soil, while sulfonamides had mainly bioaccumulated in Zea mays L. tissue. The greatest average uptake factor within the Zea mays L. tissue was 8 for tetracyclines and 110 for sulfonamides indicating larger bioaccumulation of sulfonamides. Additionally, three ARGs (sul1 , tetO , and OXA-1) were detected in the soil, only after manure application. However, ARGs were not detected in any of the plant samples. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Sulfonamides and tetracyclines in manure-ammended soil are taken up by plants, and bioaccumulated in plant shoots. • Plant uptake factors of sulfonamides are over 10-fold higher than tetracyclines. • No antimicrobial resistance genes were detected in Zea mays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Crop phenology is one of the most important aspects of crop yield determination and it is essential to predicting physiological responses under varying field conditions. In order to evaluate plant density and intra-row spacing effects on phenology, dry matter accumulation, and leaf area index of maize in second cropping, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted at the research farm of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. Experimental factors were: plant population at three levels (7, 9, and 11 plants m-2) with three levels of intra-row spacing (45, 60, and 75 cm). The results showed that the maximum plant height (179.07 cm), total dry matter (592 g m-2) in 83-91 days after sowing, days to 50% anthesis (45 days), days to 50% silking (50 days), LAI (4.07) in 63-70 days after sowing were observed in the plots with 11 plants m-2 and intra-row spacing of 45 cm. Based on the results, it was concluded that application of 11 plants m-2 with row spacing of 45 cm can be recommended for profitable maize production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in first and second crop corn fields in order to determine the lepidopterous pest species in 29 corn fields of Iğdır province of East Anatolia Region in 2013-2014 years. In this study was applied in visual inspection method. The sampling were done in 5 adjacent plants on the same row in 5 different points of field. During studies, a total of 1404 larvae were collected and their adults were reared at the laboratory. As a result of study, Black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel, Beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), Loreyi leafworm, Acantholeucania loreyi (Duponchel), Cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Noctuidae) and European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Crambidae) were determined. The rate of the species in the composition of these lepidopterous species, as A. ipsilon 0.93%, H. armigera 30.5%, S. exigua 27.9%, A. loreyi 34.1%, O. nubilalis 6.6% were found. It was found S. exigua damaged in the first and second crop and H. armigera and O. nubilalis in second crop. In addition, this study has been the first study on corn pests in Iğdır province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) is highly important for food safety control. In this study, a signal-on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor which combined the characteristics of high efficiency of hyperbranched rolling circle amplification (HRCA) and high selectivity of aptamer was developed for OTA determination. The capture probe DNA (CDNA) was firstly immobilized on the gold electrode surface through Au–S interaction, then the OTA aptamer was modified on the electrode surface through hybridization with CDNA. Since OTA can competitively bind with the aptamer due to their high affinity, which would induce the releasing of aptamer from the electrode surface. Subsequently, the free CDNA on the electrode surface can hybridize with the padlock probe and induce HRCA reaction subsequently. Thus, the HRCA products which contained large amount of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) fragments can be accumulated on the electrode surface. Since Ru ( phen ) 3 2 + can intercalate into the groove of dsDNA and acts as ECL indicator, high ECL intensity can be detected from the electrode surface. The enhanced ECL intensity has a linear relationship with OTA in the range of 0.05–500 pg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9957, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.02 pg/mL. The developed biosensor has been applied to determine OTA concentration in the corn samples with satisfied results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory-scale silos were prepared to evaluate the efficacy of two different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the fermentation quality and mycobiota of corn silage. Their influence onAspergillusspecies’ variability by using the q-PCR technique was studied. Silage inoculated withLactobacillus rhamnosusRC007 orL. plantarumRC009 were compared with uninoculated silage. Silos were opened after 1, 7, 45, 90 and 120 days after ensiling. At the end of the ensiling period, silos were left open for 7 days to evaluate aerobic stability. Rapid lactic acid production and decline in pH values were seen in the early stages of fermentation in silage inoculated withL. rhamnosusRC007. After aerobic exposure, a significant decline in lactic acid content was observed in untreated andL. plantarumRC009-inoculated silages. Counts for yeasted and toxigenic fungus remained lower, after aerobic exposure, inL. rhamnosusRC007-inoculated silage, in comparison withL. plantarumRC009 and uninoculated silages. Comparing the influence exerted by both BAL, it was observed thatL. rhamnosusRC007 was more efficient at inhibiting the three fungal species tested whose DNA concentrations, determined by q-PCR, oscillated near the initial value (pre-ensiling maize). The ability ofL. rhamnosusRC007 to produce lactic acid rapidly and the decline in pH values in the early stages of the fermentation along with the reduction of yeast and mycotoxicogenic fungus after aerobic exposure shows its potential as a bio-control inoculant agent in animal feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Fumonisin B1 ( FB1) is a cancer-promoting mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species and one of the major food-borne toxins in corn and corn products. The objective of this study was to produce a single-chain variable fragment ( scFv) antibody for determination of FB1 in corn samples. RESULTS Anti- FB1 monoclonal antibodies were obtained via the hybridoma technique. Specific heavy- and light-chain variable fragments were amplified with degenerate primers and constructed into scFv antibody fragments by splice overlap extension polymerase chain reaction with linker sequences. The resulting scFv DNA fragments were cloned into the phagemid pHEN1for selection and identification of functional scFv fragment by phage display. Prokaryotic expression vector pET22b-scFv was constructed to prepare anti- FB1 scFv antibody for establishment of indirect competitive ELISA. The detection capability ( CCβ) of the scFv-based ELISA was 15.00 µg kg−1, and the limit of detection was 8.32 µg kg−1. The recoveries and coefficients of variation were 86.74-107.34% and 9.72-14.03%, respectively. In addition, the determined results of 30 naturally contaminated corn samples by the scFv-based ELISA are in agreement with the findings of high-performance liquid chromatography ( R2 = 0.97). CONCLUSION This scFv-based ELISA could be used as an efficient screening method for routine monitoring the residues FB1 in corn samples. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquid-based foam flotation followed by solid phase extraction was developed for extraction of eight triazine herbicides, including cyanazine, metribuzin, desmetryn, secbumeton, terbumeton, terbuthylazine, dimethametryn and dipropetryn in corn samples. When the extraction was completed, the analytes were separated from the sample matrix by foam flotation and introduced into the solid phase extraction cartridge. The separation and concentration of target analytes were performed simultaneously. The analytes eluted from the solid phase extraction cartridge were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The effects of experimental parameters of extraction and flotation were examined. Under the optimized experimental conditions, a good linearity was obtained in the range of 2.50–150µg/kg. The detection limits of the triazine herbicides were in the range of 0.74–1.62µg/kg. The present method was successfully applied to the analysis of corn samples. The recoveries ranged from 85.9% to 104.0% and the relative standard deviations were lower than 5.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Joint analysis of dual-component is a better strategy for FT-NIR analysis of corn. [•] Whittaker smoother is an attractive alternative method for data preprocessing. [•] Four spectral regions are compared for the joint analysis of two target components. [•] Uncertainty in parameters are estimated for PLS models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Maize truly "sustains life" to most African countries as Ogi-a fermented maize meal is a popular complementary/weaning diet for infants and as well a breakfast diet for adults in most African countries, Nigeria inclusive. Yet, ogi made from maize alone does not contain adequate nutrients to meet the high nutrient demand of the neonates. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of co-fermentation on the functional, nutritional and health benefit of fermented yellow maize and carrot blends. Three different groups of fermented maize/carrot (ogi) flour blends were produced. These include; co-fermented carrot/ogi, co-milled carrot/ogi and whole maize ogi flour as control. For co-fermented and co-milled samples, maize and carrot were blended in ratio 90:10 and 80:20 respectively. The flour yields ranged between 61.3 and 70.8%. Increase in percentage of carrot inclusion reduced yield of ogi flour. Co-milled products had higher yield than co-fermented samples. Crude protein content of the flour ranged between 8.9 and 10.3%. Significant different existed in the crude protein content of the flours at p≤0.05. Crude protein decreased while carbohydrate increased with increasing percentage of carrot. Vitamin C content of the flour ranged between 7.92 and 9.90 mg/100g and total carotenoids ranged from 4.42 to 7.27 mg/100g with significant different (p≤0.05). Vitamin C and total carotenoids increased with increasing percentage of carrot. The swelling power of the flour increased with increase in temperature. The swelling power of co-milled samples increased better at increasing temperature than the co-fermented samples. This study revealed that co-processing carrot with yellow maize to get a fortified Ogi is viable and the product is nutritionally cum health wise beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fumonisin B1(FB1) and fumonisin B2(FB2) are the most abundant fumonisins (FBs) occurring worldwide in maize, infected mainly byFusarium verticillioidesandF. proliferatum. A total of 307 corn kernel samples were collected from 45 districts of Gansu, Shandong, Ningxia and the Inner Mongolia provinces of the north and northwest China. The samples were analysed for FB1and FB2by high-performance liquid chromatography. The FBs (FB1+ FB2) incidence rate in samples from Gansu, Shandong, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia were 31.5%, 81.1%, 46.2% and 53.6%, respectively. Average FBs concentration was 703 μg/kg and the concentrations ranged from ≤11 to 13,110 μg kg−1. Results were compared with the European Commission (EC) regulation for FB1+ FB2in unprocessed maize for human consumption of 4 mg kg−1. Contamination in 17 samples was higher than these levels. More than 80% of the samples from Liaocheng county, which is located in the Shandong province, were contaminated with FBs, with a mean total FB concentration of 2496 μg/kg. The result was significantly different from that of the Inner Mongolia (1399 μg/kg), Ningxia (373 μg/kg) and Gansu (175 μg/kg). Average exposure to FBs (0.12 μg/kg body weight/day) is within the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 2.0 mg/kg of body weight set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this research was to determine the conversion efficiency of proso millet to ethanol compared to corn in a bench-scale dry-grind procedure. Seven proso millet cultivars and six advanced breeding lines containing waxy starch were fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ethanol production was compared with normal corn and “highly fermentable” corn. The highly fermentable corn exhibited the highest fermentation efficiency (97.0±1.4%). Among proso millet lines, those with the highest fermentation efficiencies were: Huntsman (85.9±0.6%), 172-2-9 (90.8±0.2%), 172-2-13 (85.1±2.5%), and 182-4-24 (84.7±2.1). Waxy proso millet lines resulted in higher fermentation efficiencies than the non-waxy proso millet varieties containing normal starch (82.4±5.5% vs. 75.5±7.4%, respectively, p =0.01). Proso millet distiller''s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) contained more protein (26.6–33.4%) than the DDGS from corn (17.2–23.4%). These data indicate that proso millet exhibits promise as a feedstock for ethanol production, especially if breeding programs focus on selecting “highly fermentable” lines for advancement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A field experiment, conducted in two locations (Bački Petrovac, Rimski Šančevi) for three years (2006, 2007, 2008), was aimed at assessing the effects of average air temperature (°C) and precipitation sum (mm) during growing season on dry matter yield (kg ha-1) and harvest index of two grain sorghum hybrids (Alba, Gold) and two corn hybrids (NS 300, NS 640). Dry matter yield was gcncraly higher in com than in grain sorghum. In the agroclimatic conditions of southern Bačka, the hybrid Alba was superior to the hybrid Gold and the hybrid NS 640 to NS 300 regarding dry matter yield. The hybrids Gold and NS 300 had a higher harvest index than the hybrids Alba and NS 640, respectively. The increase in average air temperature increased the dry matter yield in the case of grain sorghums and decreased the dry matter yield of corn. Regarding harvest index, decreases were registered with both crops. Increase in rainfall level tended to positively affect the dry matter yield. In the case of grain sorghum, higher harvest index was recorded when dry matter production was reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify novel functions of the oral intake of sweet corn, we performed DNA microarray analysis of the livers of sweet corn-fed mice. Functional annotation clustering 1600 genes with expression levels that were affected (more than 1.5-fold change) by dietary sweet corn indicated that both cell proliferation and programmed cell death were modulated by sweet corn intake. In the Wnt signaling pathway, which is involved in cell proliferation, the levels of Jun and β-catenin expression were downregulated by dietary sweet corn. The mRNA levels of Rb and p53, negative regulators of the cell cycle, were increased in mice fed with sweet corn. Dietary corn upregulated expression levels of genes that regulate apoptosis positively (for example, BOK, BID, CASP4). These results suggested that sweet corn is a valuable food for suppressing cancer. Oral administration of sweet corn inhibited tumor growth (36.6% reduce in tumor weight, P < 0.05) in mice inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.), a specialty corn, has poor field emergence, stand establishment, and low yield compared to field corn, and the latter would be beneficial in the improvement of these traits. Seven field corn and four sweet corn inbred lines were used in a line- by-tester mating design for the analysis of combining ability and heterosis for field emergence, kernel quality traits, and some yield components. Field corn and sweet corn lines differed significantly in flowering, green- ear traits, yield, total soluble solids, and biochemical traits. Field corn inbreds (L5 and L6) and tester T4 emerged as good combiners for early maturity, whereas L2 was a good combiner for yield and sugar content. Testers 12 and 14 were good general combiners for early maturity, green- ear length, total sugar, and non-reducing sugar. Sweet corn recorded higher contents of sugar components and less starch compared with the field corn. Among crosses, L1 × T2, L6 × T4, and L3 × T2 were best specific combiners for early maturity, field emergence, and fresh ear weight, whereas hybrid L7 × T2 had better specific combining ability for grain yield, total soluble solids (TSS), total as well as non-reducing sugars. Further, hybrid L2 × T3 had high per se performance for fresh ear weight (246.67 g) and total sugar (15.49%). Such elite combinations with more fresh harvest yield as well as sugar content can be advanced to select sweet corn lines with improved plant stand and yield, and field corn lines with enhanced sugar content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical damage, which reduces seed quality characteristics, refers to the physical injuries caused on seed during handling, harvesting, and conditioning. In maize (Zea mays L.) susceptibility to mechanical damage depends on genetic and environmental factors. The development of inbred lines with high seed quality and broad adaptability is essential in a breeding program. The objective of this study is to quantify the genotypic, environmental, and genotype-by-environment (GE) interaction effects on the mechanically damaged seed quality of experimental maize inbred lines. Nine lines were tested in six environments defined by the location-seed-shape combinations. Each sample was artificially injured (damage treatment). Seed quality was measured by both the saturated cold test and fast green test. Statistical analyses were performed using AMMI model and results were displayed in GE biplots. Variability due to GE interaction was smaller than or equal to the variability among genotypes. The variation between environments was not always the most important, explaining between 19% and 58% of the total variation. The biplot analysis of susceptibility to mechanical damage evaluated by the fast green test gave evidence that particular patterns can be mainly associated with seed shape, and the biplot of vigor evaluated by the saturated cold test had a tendency to group the environments with the localities. These types of associations suggest some predictability of genotype-by-environment interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereal starch production forms the basis of subsistence for much of the world's human and domesticated animal populations. Starch concentration and composition in the maize (Zea mays ssp mays) kernel are complex traits controlled by many genes. In this study, an association approach was used to evaluate six maize candidate genes involved in kernel starch biosynthesis: amylose extender1 (ae1), brittle endosperm2 (bt2), shrunken1 (sh1), sh2, sugary1, and waxy1. Major kernel composition traits, such as protein, oil, and starch concentration, were assessed as well as important starch composition quality traits, including pasting properties and amylose levels. Overall, bt2, sh1, and sh2 showed significant associations for kernel composition traits, whereas ae1 and sh2 showed significant associations for starch pasting properties, ae1 and sh1 both associated with amylose levels. Additionally, haplotype analysis of sh2 suggested this gene is involved in starch viscosity properties and amylose content. Despite starch concentration being only moderately heritable for this particular panel of diverse maize inbreds, high resolution was achieved when evaluating these starch candidate genes, and diverse alleles for breeding and further molecular analysis were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interrelationship among water‐stress‐induced abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the activities of several antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) was investigated in leaves of detached maize (Zea mays L.) plants exposed to –0.7 MPa water stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). Time‐course analyses of ABA content, the production of ROS, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in water‐stressed leaves showed that a significant increase in the content of ABA preceded that of ROS, which was followed by a marked increase in the activities of these antioxidant enzymes. Pretreatment with an ABA biosynthesis inhibitor, tungstate, significantly suppressed the accumulation of ABA, and also reduced the increased generation of ROS and the up‐regulation of these antioxidant enzymes in water‐stressed leaves. A mild oxidative stress induced by paraquat, which generates O2– and then H2O2, resulted in a significant enhancement in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in non‐water‐stressed leaves. Pretreatment with some ROS scavengers, such as Tiron and dimethylthiourea (DMTU), and an inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), almost completely arrested the increase in ROS and the activities of these antioxidant enzymes induced by water stress or ABA treatment. These data suggest that water stress‐induced ABA accumulation triggers the increased generation of ROS, which, in turn, leads to the up‐regulation of the antioxidant defence system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A method for determining fumonisin B[sub 1](FB[sub 1]) in corn was developed and the clean-up optimized in order to give an extract suitable for one-dimensional thin layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis. FB[sub 1] was extracted with a solution of methanol:water (80:20,v/v), purified through an immunoaffinity column and separated on a C[sub 18] reversed phase TLC plate. The FB[sub 1] was visualized with 0.1mol/l sodium tetraborate, 0.40mg/ml fluorescamine in acetonitrile and 0.01mol/l boric acid:acetonitrile (2:3,v/v) for fluorescence detection, and quantified by densitometric analysis. Water, acetonitrile:water (1:1v/v) and acetonitrile:water (4:1v/v) were evaluated as TLC solvents for running both standards and samples together with derivatization procedures aimed at improving separation, resolution, sensitivity and linearity. The mean recovery for FB[sub 1] for spiked samples was found to be 85% and the linear equation of standard calibration curve by densitometric analysis gave an r2 value higher than 0.99. The maximum coefficient of variation for replicate analysis of spiked samples was 19%. The absolute amount of FB[sub 1] standard detectable on a TLC plate was 2 ng, giving a detection limit for the method of 0.1mg/kg. The method has been shown to be robust in the application of FB[sub 1] monitoring in corn (214 samples) collected in different regions of the country. FB[sub 1] was detected in 99% of these samples in the range of 0.2 to 6 mg/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weanling male albino rats (45-60 g) were used to study the effects of varying sprouting periods on the nutritional quality of normal yellow corn. The yellow corn (YC) was sprouted for 24, 36 and 48 h (SYC24, SYC36, SYC48). The unsprouted corn (UYC) and casein (CA 100) served as negative and positive controls. African yam bean (AYB) was sprouted for 48 h and blended with the corn in a 70:30 (protein basis). Sprouting for 48 h caused decreases in most of the parameters tested except for the liver weight and N and calcium (CA) balance. The 24 h sprouting produced increases except for weight gain and PER, liver weight and N, phosphorus (P) and Ca intake and retention. The UYC produced increases higher than those of the test groups except for digested N, NPU, liver moisture, Fe intake and absorption. Casein significantly increased all parameters than for the test groups except for digested and retained N, P and Fe intakes. The advantages of sprouting for 24 or 36 h out-weighed those of 48 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]