PROSPECT OF CORN SILK’S UTILIZATION FOR HEALTH ENHANCEMENT: INTERCONNECTING TRADITIONAL AND MODERN APPROACHES

3rd International Symposium On Biotechnology (2025),  [pp. 429-436]

AUTHOR(S) / АУТОР(И): Danka Milovanović, Valentina Nikolić, Beka Sarić, Marijana Simić, Slađana Žilić

Download Full Pdf   

DOI: 10.46793/SBT30.51DM

ABSTRACT / САЖЕТАК:

In many nations worldwide, corn silk (Stigma maydis) has a long history of use in functional foods and traditional medicine. Numerous studies have demonstrated the anti-diabetic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant qualities of maize (Zea mays L.), which has a stigma that contains a wide range of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, polysaccharides, steroids, tannins, alkaloids, proteins, and vitamins. In order to help reduce agricultural waste and move it toward zero waste food production, our current research focuses on examining the complete bioactive profile of corn silk and applying it for pharmacological purposes.

KEYWORDS / КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ:

corn silk, bioactive compounds, pharmacological purposes, agricultural waste

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT / ПРОЈЕКАТ:

This study was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia (Grant No. 451-03- 136/2025-03/200040).

REFERENCES / ЛИТЕРАТУРА:

  • Bhuvaneshwari K, Sivakami S. (2015). Analysis of nutrients and phytochemicals content in corn silk (Zea mays). International Journal of Science and Research 78 (96), 2319-7064.
  • Chen S, Chen H, Tian J, Wang Y, Xing L, Wang J. (2013). Chemical modification, antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activities of corn silk polysaccharides. Carbohydrate Polymers 98 (1), 428-437.
  • Dardouk F, Arandi H, Makharzeh M. (2019). Extraction of Corn silk and its applications in healing and cosmetics, Graduation project 2. An-Najah National University Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Chemical Engineering Department, pp. 1-52. Available: https://repository.najah.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/4c0ca731-a69b-4179- 83ac-32ee2e48ab8a/content
  • Devi P., Kumar P., Singh J. (2024). Cultivation of Corn Silk: Remunerative Venture for Medicinal Boon and Antimicrobial Therapies. In Medicinal Plants and Antimicrobial Therapies (pp. 143-167). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
  • Elbossaty W.F. (2020). Medical Healthy Care of Stigma maydis: Pharmacological Review. Scientific Journal of Food Science & Nutrition 6 (1), 1-3.
  • Fawzy S, Osman A.I, Doran J, Rooney D.W. (2020). Strategies for mitigation of climate change: a review. Environmental Chemistry Letters 18, 2069–2094.
  • Global Corn Silk Market Report and Forecast 2022-2027; 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022. Available: https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/corn- silkmarket
  • Hasanudin K, Hashim P, Mustafa S. (2012). Corn silk (Stigma maydis) in healthcare: a phytochemical and pharmacological review. Molecules 17 (8), 9697–9715.
  • Hu X, Yang T, Qi X, Guo X, Hu J. (2022). Effects of different drying methods on phenolic composition and antioxidant activity in corn silk (stigma maydis). Journl of Food Processing and Preservation 46 (11), e17101.
  • Kılıç Z, Yılmaz A, Yıldız S, Turna H. (2017). Antioxidant properties of some herbal teas (green tea, Senna, corn silk, rosemary) brewed at different temperatures. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite (Online) 148– 154.
  • Lapcik L, Repka D, Lapcíkova B, Sumczynski D, Gautam S. L. P, Valenta T. (2023). A physicochemical study of the antioxidant activity of corn silk extracts. Foods 12 (11), 2159.
  • Limmatvapirat C, Nateesathittarn C, Dechasathian K, Moohummad T, Chinajitphan P, Limmatvapirat S. (2020). Phytochemical analysis of baby corn silk extracts. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 11 (3), 344- 351.
  • Liu J, Wang C, Wang Z, Zhang C, Lu S, Liu J. (2010). The antioxidant and free- radical scavenging activities of extract and fractions from corn silk (Zea mays L.) and related flavone glycosides. Food Chemistry 126, 261–269.
  • Mada S.B, Sani L, Chechet G. D. (2020). Corn silk from waste material to potential therapeutic agent: A mini review. Trends in Science & Technology Journal 5 (3), 816–820.
  • Okokon J.E, Davies K, Nyong E.E, Udoh A.E. (2018). Anticonvulsant activity of corn silk (Stigma maydis). Journal of Basic Pharmacology and Toxicology 2 (2), 6-10.
  • Pashazadeh H, Zannou O, Ghellam M, Koca I, Galanakis CM, Aldawoud T. (2021). Optimization and Encapsulation of Phenolic Compounds Extracted from Maize Waste by Freeze-Drying, Spray-Drying, and Microwave-Drying Using Maltodextrin. Foods 10 (6), 1396.
  • Schieber A, Stintzing F.C, Carle R. (2001). By-products of plant food processing as a source of functional compounds—recent developments. Trends in Food Science and Technology 12, 401–413.
  • Shi S, Li S, Li W, Xu H. (2019). Corn silk tea for hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 1, 2915498.
  • Singh J, Inbaraj BS, Kaur S, Rasane P, Nanda V. (2022). Phytochemical Analysis and Characterization of Corn Silk (Zea mays, G5417). Agronomy 12 (4), 777.
  • Somavat P, Kumar D, Singh V. (2018). Techno-economic feasibility analysis of blue and purple corn processing for anthocyanin extraction and ethanol production using modified dry grind process. Industrial Crops and Products 115, 78-87.
  • Subedi K.D, Ma B.L. (2009). Corn crop production: growth, fertilization, and yield. Agriculture Issues and Policies. pp. 1-84.
  • Tao H, Chen X, Du Z, Ding K. (2020). Corn silk crude polysaccharide exerts anti-pancreatic cancer activity by blocking the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/CREB signaling pathway. Food and Function 11 (8), 6961-6970.
  • Wang C, Zhang T, Liu J, Lu S, Zhang C, Wang E, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Liu J. (2011). Subchronic toxicity study of corn silk with rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 137, 36–43.
  • Yuan L, Bao Z, Ma T, Lin S. (2021). Hypouricemia effects of corn silk flavonoids in a mouse model of potassium oxonated-induced hyperuricemia. Journal of Food Biochemistry 45 (8), e13856.
  • Žilić S, Janković M, Basić Z, Vančetović J, Maksimović V. (2016). Antioxidant activity, phenolic profile, chlorophyll and mineral matter content of corn silk (Zea mays L): Comparison with medicinal herbs. Journal of Cereal Science 69, 363-370.