NATURA PURPLE CORN

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT.-

Common Name: Maiz Morado

Scientific Name: Zea Mays L. – Kculli variety.

Family: Poaceae – Grass family

English Name: Purple Corn

 

 

I.   DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT.-

 

This plant has a strong , tall stalk that can reach between 60 cm to 3 or 4 meters (2 ft to 10 or 13 ft) according to its variety. In the top there is a panache of flowers. The cobs grow in the axila of the large and elongated leaves. The cobs will later have full rows of corn. Purple Corn, (Zea Mays L.) is a variety which cob and grains possess a purple color. There is a natural ingredient that gives it its coloration, a member of the anthocyanins, ciandina-3-b-glucose, a very important anti-oxidant.

 

• HABITAT: This unique variety is grown in Peru in the inter-Andean valleys and the central coast and grows between 1,200 and over 4,000 meters above sea level (4,000 ft to 14,000 ft).The principal production areas are in Lima, Ancash and Arequipa.

  

Purple Corn  

 

II.    HISTORIC OR TRADITIONAL USE.-

 

Original from Peru, this variety had been domesticated in pre-Columbian times, and along with other corn varieties, was a cereal of high importance in the basic food diet of the times.

 

 

III. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION .-

 

Purple corn has phyto-nutrients among which are: flavonoids, carotenoids, luteins, terpenes, anthocyanins,  sulphurorafanes and many more. Phyto-nutrients lack food value, however function as anti-oxidants, protecting the cellular DNA from the damaging oxidant effects of free radicals, thus preventing mutations that could lead to cancer.

 

IV. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES.-

 

Anthocyanin slows down degenerative processes; as a natural ant-oxidant, it prevents cellular aging; has anti-wrinkle action; protects against cardiovascular disease; reduces LDL cholesterol levels; regulates arterial pressure, increasing blood flow; recommended for hypertension (2).

Has diuretic action; has anti-carcinogen properties, especially against Colon Cancer(1).

 

Recent studies in Japan, published in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, have shown that purple corn could be a great ally in the fight against diabetes and obesity.

 

  

 

Anthocyanin is the name of the purple pigment in Purple Corn. Recently, a research team of the University of Doshisha in Kyoto, proved that purple porn extract increases the activity of a gene that regulates the function of fat cells, improving the treatment of diverse circulatory diseases related to cholesterol, as the gene inhibits bad (LDL) cholesterol.

 

According to Nutraceuticals World magazine, the phenol compounds in Purple Corn make it one of the most powerful anti-oxidants in the world.

 

Anthocyanins are also recognized in ophthalmology, for its protection of the retina, incrementing visual acuity and improving nocturnal or low light vision.

 

 

 

 

(1)… Profesor Tomuyuki Shirai de la Facultad de Medicina de la Nagoya City University y la Empresa San Ei Gen, Investigaciones sobre el principio activo del Maiz Morado,  Japón.

(2)…Jorge Arroyo, Juan Rojas, Victor Chumpitaz, Jonny Burga, Walter de la Cruz, José Valencia, Ernesto Ráez, Julio Chenguayen, Oscar Huamán.

Investigaciones:

- Actividad antihipertensiva y antioxidante del extracto hidroalcohólico atomizado de Zea mays L. (Maíz morado) en ratas hipertensas por L-NAME.

- Actividad hipocolesterolémica y antioxidante del extracto hidroalcohólico atomizado de Zea mays L. (Maíz morado) en ratas inducidas con colesterol.

Facultad de Medicina Humana –UNMSM, Facultad Odontología – UNMSM, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica – USMSM. 2005, Lima. Perú.

 

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