| Abstract: | Coarse and fine kernel portions from 24 maize inbreds (six grown in two years) and four hybrids were separated by grinding and sifting. Zeins from both portions of all genotypes were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Results agreed, in general, with those of a previous study in which endosperm separation was done manually, suggesting that endosperm fractionation can be done by mechanical means. Compositions of zeins, as revealed by RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE, support the hypothesis that zeins help determine maize endosperm hardness. |
