Physical, Compositional, and Wet‐Milling Characteristics of Mexican Blue Maize (Zea mays L.) Landrace

Mexico has the largest diversity of genetic resources for maize in the world, with about 59 different landraces. However, little is known about their wet‐milling characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine whether 15 Mexican blue maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes of Elotero de Sinaloa landrace collected in the northwestern region of Mexico have suitable wet‐milling properties. Great variability of physical, compositional, and wet‐milling characteristics among these blue maize genotypes was observed. The FAUAS‐457 and FAUAS‐488 maize genotypes had similar starch yield and starch recovery as reported for the wet‐milling industry, which indicated that they may be useful as a source of extractable starch. Residual protein levels in the starch fractions were in the range of 0.39–0.68%, and total solids recovery exhibited a mean value of 98.8%, indicating acceptable efficacy of the wet‐milling process. This process afforded starches from blue maize genotypes with low protein contents. Wet‐milling fractions correlated with the physical and chemical properties of the kernels. Our results indicate that Mexican blue maize genotypes contain characteristics that make them appropriate and utilizable at the industrial level, and they can also be valuable for improving wet‐milling characteristics of maize through breeding programs.