Effect of Germination on Proximate Composition of Two Maize Cultivars

Abstract

Two varieties Azam and Jalal were analyzed for proximate composition before and after germination. The data showed that germination significantly effect proximate composition of maize. The data showed that moisture content was increased after germination from 7.35% to 40% for Azam and Jalal. Ash content was also found to be increased after germination. Proteins content increased from 12.25 to 14.88% in Azam and from 14.00 to 18.38% in Jalal. Fiber content was also found increased after germination. Germination also affected fat content of both verities. It was also observed that fat content after germination increased from 4.5 to 6.5 % for Azam and Jalal. It was concluded from present study that Maize contains appreciable amount of various nutrients and germination significantly increased nutrient composition.

Keywords: Maize (Zea mays L.), seed priming, protein, fiber, nitrogen free extract (NFE).