eprintid: 28584 rev_number: 8 eprint_status: archive userid: 2 dir: disk0/00/02/85/84 datestamp: 2026-07-06 23:30:10 lastmod: 2026-07-06 23:30:12 status_changed: 2026-07-06 23:30:10 type: article metadata_visibility: show creators_name: Cao, Qingwei creators_name: Hu, Haixia creators_name: Chen, Ge creators_name: Yang, Bei creators_name: Qi, Zexiu creators_name: Chen, Xiumin creators_name: Armas Diaz, Yasmany creators_name: Rabeiro Martinez, Carlos Luis creators_name: Cianciosi, Danila creators_name: Xiao, Jianbo creators_name: Quiles, José L. creators_name: Giampieri, Francesca creators_name: Battino, Maurizio creators_id: creators_id: creators_id: creators_id: creators_id: creators_id: creators_id: creators_id: creators_id: creators_id: creators_id: jose.quiles@uneatlantico.es creators_id: francesca.giampieri@uneatlantico.es creators_id: maurizio.battino@uneatlantico.es title: A comprehensive review on purple corn kernels: phytochemical composition, bioactivity, bioaccessibility, health benefits, and industry applications ispublished: pub subjects: uneat_sn divisions: uneatlantico_produccion_cientifica full_text_status: public keywords: Purple corn (Zea mays L.); Phytochemical profile; Anthocyanins; Phenolic compounds; Health benefits; Industrial applications abstract: Background Purple corn (Zea mays L.) is a pigmented cereal crop distinguished by its high content of anthocyanins (ANCS) and other phenolic phytochemicals, which contribute to its characteristic color and biological functionality. In recent years, increasing consumer demand for natural and health-promoting food ingredients has stimulated growing scientific interest in purple corn due to its unique nutritional profile and functional properties. A comprehensive understanding of its phytochemical composition and associated bioactivities is therefore essential to support its high-value applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical products. Scope and approach This review critically summarizes recent advances in the phytochemical composition and bioactive properties of purple corn, with particular emphasis on gut microbiota modulation and its effects on metabolic health, including reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition, emerging applications of purple corn–derived bioactive compounds in functional foods, delivery systems, and animal nutrition are highlighted, alongside current challenges and research gaps. Key findings and conclusions Purple corn is abundant in diverse bioactive compounds, with composition significantly influenced by cultivar, environmental conditions, maturity stage at harvest, and processing methods. Accumulating evidence from both in vitro and in vivo indicates its efficacy as a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent, with additional antihypertensive, anti-obesogenic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties. Innovative strategies, such as nanoencapsulation, show promise in improving stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds in purple corn, which is notably rich in anthocyanins (typically ranging from 55.8 to 1970 mg/100 g dry weight). However, toxicological evidence and clinical trials are key limiting factors for developing successful applications for purple corn as a nutritional dietary supplement or nutraceutical. Future studies should emphasize in vivo validation, safety assessment, and advanced delivery systems to support the development of purple corn as a functional food ingredient and potential therapeutic agent. date: 2026-08 publication: Trends in Food Science & Technology volume: 174 pagerange: 105843 id_number: doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2026.105843 refereed: TRUE issn: 09242244 official_url: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2026.105843 access: open language: en citation: Artículo Materias > Alimentación Universidad Europea del Atlántico > Investigación > Artículos y libros Abierto Inglés Background Purple corn (Zea mays L.) is a pigmented cereal crop distinguished by its high content of anthocyanins (ANCS) and other phenolic phytochemicals, which contribute to its characteristic color and biological functionality. In recent years, increasing consumer demand for natural and health-promoting food ingredients has stimulated growing scientific interest in purple corn due to its unique nutritional profile and functional properties. A comprehensive understanding of its phytochemical composition and associated bioactivities is therefore essential to support its high-value applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical products. Scope and approach This review critically summarizes recent advances in the phytochemical composition and bioactive properties of purple corn, with particular emphasis on gut microbiota modulation and its effects on metabolic health, including reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition, emerging applications of purple corn–derived bioactive compounds in functional foods, delivery systems, and animal nutrition are highlighted, alongside current challenges and research gaps. Key findings and conclusions Purple corn is abundant in diverse bioactive compounds, with composition significantly influenced by cultivar, environmental conditions, maturity stage at harvest, and processing methods. Accumulating evidence from both in vitro and in vivo indicates its efficacy as a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent, with additional antihypertensive, anti-obesogenic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties. Innovative strategies, such as nanoencapsulation, show promise in improving stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds in purple corn, which is notably rich in anthocyanins (typically ranging from 55.8 to 1970 mg/100 g dry weight). However, toxicological evidence and clinical trials are key limiting factors for developing successful applications for purple corn as a nutritional dietary supplement or nutraceutical. Future studies should emphasize in vivo validation, safety assessment, and advanced delivery systems to support the development of purple corn as a functional food ingredient and potential therapeutic agent. metadata Cao, Qingwei; Hu, Haixia; Chen, Ge; Yang, Bei; Qi, Zexiu; Chen, Xiumin; Armas Diaz, Yasmany; Rabeiro Martinez, Carlos Luis; Cianciosi, Danila; Xiao, Jianbo; Quiles, José L.; Giampieri, Francesca y Battino, Maurizio mail SIN ESPECIFICAR, SIN ESPECIFICAR, SIN ESPECIFICAR, SIN ESPECIFICAR, SIN ESPECIFICAR, SIN ESPECIFICAR, SIN ESPECIFICAR, SIN ESPECIFICAR, SIN ESPECIFICAR, SIN ESPECIFICAR, jose.quiles@uneatlantico.es, francesca.giampieri@uneatlantico.es, maurizio.battino@uneatlantico.es (2026) A comprehensive review on purple corn kernels: phytochemical composition, bioactivity, bioaccessibility, health benefits, and industry applications. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 174. p. 105843. ISSN 09242244 document_url: http://repositorio.uneatlantico.es/id/eprint/28584/1/A%20comprehensive%20review%20on%20purple%20corn%20kernels_%20phytochemical%20composition%2C%20bioactivity%2C%20bioaccessibility%2C%20health%20benefits%2C%20and%20i.pdf