Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


New corn strain has potential to improve eye health

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

by DIANNE FETTERLY

A new strain of corn developed by researchers at the University of Guelph could help in the fight against macular degeneration, an eye disease which can lead to blindness in older people.

The new breed of corn has high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, both antioxidants known to protect against the age-related disease. Older adults have low levels of the antioxidants, making them more susceptible to the illness.  

According to plant researcher Elizabeth Lee, the University of Guelph team began extracting genetic material from South American maize in 2000. That particular variety of corn can’t grow in Ontario but it was crossed with North American corn to create a new variety with higher levels of the beneficial antioxidants.

“Corn naturally has low levels of (lutein and zeaxanthin), but this corn has higher levels than anything ever reported,” said Lee.

But the crop scientist isn’t suggesting people eat the new corn strain. Instead, her team has fed the corn to laying hens, which in turn produced eggs with high levels of the antioxidants. Lee explained that a darker yellow colour in the egg yolk is the result of the high carotenoid corn.

While doctors usually suggest a diet high in leafy greens to help in the fight against macular degeneration, the new findings could provide another source of the beneficial antioxidants.

The Guelph researchers began growing the new corn strain in two, half-acre plots, and by the summer of 2010 had produced enough grain to begin feeding trials. They started the trials in January 2011 and continued the feeding regime for four to five months, collecting the eggs and testing them for levels of the antioxidants.  

Once tested, it was discovered that the eggs had lower levels of lutein than eggs produced by chickens fed marigold petals. However, the trial eggs also contained the zeaxanthin.

“You can already buy eggs with high lutein, from chickens fed marigold petals. But zeaxanthin is also important, and in theory, feeding this corn to chickens can give us both,” Lee said.

The finding could not only be beneficial to consumers and egg producers, but there could also be a potential market for corn producers, growing the speciality corn for chicken rations, she added.

So why don’t researchers create a new strain of sweet corn with higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin for consumers? “That’s something were thinking of trying,” Lee said. BF

Current Issue

September 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Ontario Farmers Share Yield Strategies Amid Drought

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

The Great Ontario Yield Tour held an event at Petersen Custom Farming in Osgood, Ontario, on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The farmer panel during lunch was one of the highlights of the event. Farmers and industry experts gathered to discuss yield strategies and the realities of this season’s... Read this article online

2025 Livestock Tax Deferral Regions Announced

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has published the initial list of prescribed regions eligible for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral provision, a key support measure for Canadian livestock producers grappling with the impacts of extreme weather. “As we continue to see the very... Read this article online

Markets Connect Dots Toward US China Trade Deal

Monday, August 25, 2025

On the weekly hosted by Farms.com Risk Management Chief Commodity Strategist Moe Agostino and Commodity Strategist Abhinesh Gopal, the focus for the week of August 18 to 22, 2025 was connecting market signals with on-the-ground realities. The discussion centered on trade negotiations and... Read this article online

Hensall Co-op Invests in Rural Growth

Monday, August 25, 2025

Hensall Co-op has announced the recipients of its fifth annual Strong Communities Initiative, a program dedicated to strengthening rural communities by supporting projects that deliver long-term positive impact. This year, the co-op and its employees awarded $20,000 in grants to two main... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top