Modification process in nixtamalization of folic acid-rich dent corn (Zea mays identata) and its identification as smart food fortificant

Research Center for Chemistry – Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Kawasan PUSPIPTEK, Serpong 15314, South Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia.

^* Corresponding author: agustine_1408@yahoo.co.id

Abstract

A modification on nixtamalization process of dent corn (Zea mays identata) was conducted in order to recover natural folic acid-rich corn. Nixtamalization process on varieties of white dent corn and yellow dent corn subsequently were performed by steeping solution of Ca(OH)₂ at concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 30 % (w/w corn dissolved protein) for 18 hours, and boiling at 90 °C for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes. Result of research showed that concentration of Ca(OH)₂ solution becoming more and more high and long boiling time increased both folic acid and reducing sugar, dropped total solids and total sugar, and fluctuated dissolved protein for both types of corn. Nixtamalization optimalization of white dent corn and yellow dent corn were achieved at combination of Ca(OH)₂ 20 % (w/w corn dissolved protein) for 60 minutes of boiling and Ca(OH)₂ 30 % for 30 minutes of boiling and gave folic acid of 466.81 and 506.74 μg/mL, respectively. In this condition, it is occurred an increase of folic acid 192.3 % (1.9 folds) and 139.89 % (1.4 folds) when compared to initial material of corn. Identification on folic acid monomer and glutamic acid monomer of both nixtamalized dent corn and yellow dent corn at optimum operation condition displayed domination of folic acid monomer with molecular weight (MW) 442.56 Dalton (Da.) with relative intensity 25.51 %, and 441.73 Da. with relative intensity 100 %, while glutamic acid monomer of nixtamalized yellow dent corn and nixtamalized white dent corn were dominated by monomer with MWs of 148.27 Da. and 148.32 Da., and relative intensity 3.73 and 1.8 %.