Evaluation of phytonutrients in Adlay (<i>Coix lacrymajobi</i> L.) seeds

Abstract

Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) has long been cultivated in oriental countries as a cereal and medicinal crop. In this study, eight adlay varieties, most commonly cultivated in South Korea were selected and their seed phytonutrient contents were evaluated. The average total vitamin E content was 37.38 mg kg^-1. Two major components of vitamin E were γ-tocopherol (14.76 mg kg^-1) and γ-tocotrienol (14.18 mg kg^-1), corresponding to 39.5 and 37.9% of the total vitamin E content, respectively. Tested varieties exhibited squalene content ranging from 31.23 to 55.00 mg kg^-1, with an average of 41.24 mg kg^-1. The contents of the phytosterols: Campesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol were 80.43, 131.1, and 313.38 mg kg^-1, respectively. Of the six detected fatty acids, the major fatty acids were oleic (46.3%) and linoleic acids (37.4%). Seed squalene content exhibited high correlationship with phytosterols, but not with tocopherols. Among the tested varieties, variety Yulmu 1 showed a relatively higher proportion of phytonutrients, suggesting its potential as a gene source for further breeding.

Key words: Adlay, vitamin E, phytosterols, squalene, fatty acids.