Annals of the Academy of Romanian Scientists

Series on Agriculture, Silviculture and Veterinary Medicine

Volume 15, Number 1/2026

ISSN 2344-2085

57

RESEARCH ON DETERMINATION OF LUTEIN AND

ZEAXANTHIN CONTENT IN SUGAR CORN GROWN IN

BLACK CRIȘULUI MEADOW UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF

THE YEAR 2025, ROMANIA

Raul-Dacian VIDICAN ¹, Aurelia Ioana CHEREJI ²,

Cristina Maria MAERESCU², Nicu Cornel SABĂU ^2,3,Radu Petru BREJEA^2,3

Abstract. This research investigates how different fertilization strategies influence the

accumulation of lutein and zeaxanthin in sweet corn grown in the Crișului Negru

Meadow. The experimental design included four treatment variants: a non-fertilized

control variant, a compost-based organic fertilized variant, a mineral-fertilized variant

with NPK complex fertilizer, and a combined variant consisting of NPK supplemented

with microelements. Carotenoid concentrations were determined by high-performance

liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data obtained contribute to a better understanding

of the relationship between fertilization practices and the nutritional profile of sugar

maize, highlighting the potential of organic nutrient management in increasing the

concentration of phytochemicals with beneficial effects on health.

Keywords: lutein and zeaxanthin, organic fertilization, carotenoids, HPLC

chromatography.

DOI

10.56082/annalsarsciagr.2026.1.57

1. Introduction

Agronomy and carotenoids are areas of major interest in the current context of the

development of functional foods and agriculture oriented towards nutritional

quality [1], [4]. In this context, sugar maize (Zea mays saccharata) occupies an

important place both for its economic value and for its high content of bioactive

compounds with beneficial effects on human health [1], [5]. Due to its pleasant

¹Assistant Prof. PhD student, Raul-Dacian VIDICAN, Doctoral School Engineering Sciences,

Agronomy, University of Oradea. e-mail: raulvidican@yahoo.com

²Conf.

aurelia.chereji@uoradea.ro

²Conf.

PhD., Cristina

Hab.

PhD.,

Aurelia

Ioana

CHEREJI,

University

of

Oradea,

e-mail:

Maria

Maerescu,

University

of

Oradea,

e-mail:

cristina.maerescu@uoradea.ro

^2,3Prof. Hab. PhD., Nicu Cornel SABĂU, University of Oradea, Associated Member of The

Academy of Romanian Scientists. e-mail: nsabau@uoradea.ro

2,3

Prof. Hab. PhD., Petru Radu BREJEA, University of Oradea, Full Member of Academy of

Romanian Scientists. e-mail: rbrejea@uoradea.ro

Raul-Dacian Vidican, Aurelia Ioana Chereji,

58

Cristina Maria Maerescu, Nicu Cornel Sabău, Radu Petru Brejea

taste, high sugar content and its varied use in the food industry, sugar corn is

considered one of the most valued horticultural and agricultural crops [4].

In addition to their energy and technological value, sugar maize grains are an

important source of carotenoids, especially lutein and zeaxanthin [1], [5], [6, 7].

These compounds play an essential role in protecting the body against oxidative

stress and are recognized for their contribution to maintaining eye health [1].

Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the retinal macula, where they filter blue

light radiation and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) [1],

[5]. For this reason, interest in identifying plant sources rich in these carotenoids

has increased significantly in recent years [2], [8].

The lutein and zeaxanthin content of sugar maize is influenced by a number of

genetic, pedoclimatic and technological factors, among which fertilization plays a

decisive role [2], [3], [8]. The type and manner of fertilizer administration

influences the physiological and metabolic processes of the plant, including the

biosynthesis of carotenoid compounds [2], [4]. Organic fertilization can help

improve soil structure and biological activity, favoring balanced nutrient uptake

and accumulation of bioactive compounds [4]. At the same time, NPK-based

mineral fertilisation ensures the rapid availability of essential nutrients for crop

growth and development [4]. Supplementation with microelements can intensify

the enzymatic processes involved in the synthesis of carotenoid pigments [2], [8].

In the current conditions of modern agriculture, which are increasingly oriented

towards obtaining products with high nutritional value, the evaluation of the

influence of different fertilization technologies on the biochemical quality of

sugar maize is of particular practical and scientific importance [2], [4]. Studies on

the accumulation of lutein and zeaxanthin according to the fertilization system can

contribute to the optimization of nutrient management and the development of

sustainable agricultural technologies [2], [8].

The research presented in this paper was carried out in the specific pedoclimatic

conditions of the Crișului Negru Meadowl, in the village of Căpâlna, an area

characterized by fertile alluvial soils and favorable conditions for the cultivation

of sugar corn. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of organic and

mineral fertilization on the lutein and zeaxanthin content of the berries of the

DessertR78 hybrid, using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

method. The results obtained contribute to highlighting the relationship between

fertilization technology and the nutritional value of sugar maize, providing useful

information for the development of efficient agricultural practices oriented

towards the production of functional food [2], [5], [8].

Research on Determining the Content of Lutein and Zeaxanthin

in Sweet Corn Grown in Black Crișului Meadow under the Conditions of 2025

59

2.Materials and methods

The research on the determination of the lutein and zeaxanthin content of sugar

corn was carried out under the conditions of 2025, in the area of the Crișului

Negru meadow, Căpâlna village, Bihor County, an agricultural region recognized

for its high soil fertility and favorable conditions for corn cultivation. The study

looked at the influence of different fertilization systems on the accumulation of

carotenoids in sugar corn kernels.

Fig. 1. Black Crisul Meadow

The soil on which the experiment was carried out is a gleated alluvial soil,

specific to meadow areas, characterized by a clayey-clayey texture, high fertility

and good water retention capacity. This type of soil favors the optimal

development of maize crops due to the high availability of nutrients and the

favorable water regime.

The biological material used in the experiment was represented by the sweet corn

hybrid DessertR78, appreciated for its high sugar content and for the ability to

accumulate carotenoid compounds, especially lutein and zeaxanthin. The hybrid

has a good adaptability to the pedoclimatic conditions specific to the alluvial areas

in western Romania.

Raul-Dacian Vidican, Aurelia Ioana Chereji,

60

Cristina Maria Maerescu, Nicu Cornel Sabău, Radu Petru Brejea

The experiment was organized according to the Latin rectangle method, an

experimental method used to reduce the influence of uncontrolled variations of

environmental factors and to increase the statistical accuracy of the results. Four

experimental variants were placed, each plot having the dimensions of 5 m wide

and 20 m long.

Photo 2. Dessert R78

The following fertilization variants were applied in the experiment:

•

V1 – unfertilized control;

V2 – compost-based organic fertilization;

V3 – mineral fertilization with NPK complex fertilizer;

V4 – fertilization with NPK complex fertilizer supplemented with

microelements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and Mo).

The sowing of sugar corn was carried out in two different eras, in order to

assess the influence of climatic conditions on the accumulation of carotenoids.

The cultivation technology applied was uniform for all experimental variants, the

differences between the plots being determined exclusively by the type of

fertilization used.

Research on Determining the Content of Lutein and Zeaxanthin

in Sweet Corn Grown in Black Crișului Meadow under the Conditions of 2025

61

Photo 3. Sowing sweet corn

Table 1. Climate data 2025

Month

Amount of precipitation

Average air temperature

January

February

March

April

May

June

28.2

12.2

84.0

9.1

35.3

9.0

3.4

1

8.9

12.6

14

23.3

23.4

July

42.4

The climatic conditions between January and July 2025 were generally favorable

for the development of sugar corn. Temperatures rose progressively from 1.0°C in

February to over 23°C in June and July, ensuring optimal conditions for the

growth and maturation of the crop, as well as for the accumulation of carotenoids.

The rainfall pattern was uneven. The highest amount of precipitation was recorded

in March (84.0 l/m²), while the months of April and June were characterized by

water deficit, with about 9 l/m². These periods of drought, associated with high

summer temperatures, may have influenced plant development and the lutein and

zeaxanthin content of sugar corn grains.

Sample collection was carried out at full maturity of the plants, at which time the

berries reached optimal development and maximum concentration of carotenoids.

Ten representative cobs were harvested from each experimental variant, and the

beans were separated by hand and prepared for laboratory analysis.

The determination of the lutein and zeaxanthin content was carried out by the

high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, a method recognized

for its high sensitivity and accuracy in the analysis of carotenoids. The analyses

were carried out at the University of Debrecen using the HITACHI Elite LaChrom

HPLC system (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany), equipped with a quaternary pump,

Raul-Dacian Vidican, Aurelia Ioana Chereji,

62

Cristina Maria Maerescu, Nicu Cornel Sabău, Radu Petru Brejea

automatic injector and diode string detector (DAD). The separation and

quantification of the compounds were carried out based on the analytical

standards of lutein and zeaxanthin, using the external calibration method.

The extraction of carotenoids from the samples of sugar corn was carried out with

acetone, after which the extracts were filtered and introduced into the

chromatographic system. The identification of the compounds was carried out

based on the retention times and absorption spectra specific to the standards used.

For the interpretation of the results, the descriptive statistical indicators,

respectively the mean and the standard deviation for each experimental variant,

were calculated. The evaluation of the differences between the fertilization

variants was carried out by analysis of variance (ANOVA), and in order to

identify the statistically significant differences between the means, post-hoc tests

were applied at the significance threshold p<0.05.

2. Results and discussions

The results obtained highlighted the significant influence of fertilization on the

lutein and zeaxanthin content of sugar corn grains grown under the conditions of

2025. The determined values varied depending on the type of fertilization applied

and the sowing time (Table 2).

Table 2. Lutein content (%) in sugar corn grains by fertilization and sowing time from 2025

Variation

Epoch I

Epoch II

Media (%)

Difference

from the

witness

-

+38.64

+15.91

+20.45

Statistical

significance

(p<0.05)

-

Significant

V1

V2

V3

V4

0.44

0.60

0.51

0.52

0.44

0.62

0.52

0.54

0.44

0.61

0.51

0.53

As for the lutein content, the lowest values were recorded in the control version

(V1), where the average was 0.44%. The application of organic fertilization with

compost (V2) caused the highest accumulation of lutein, the average reaching

0.61%, which represents an increase of 38.64% compared to the control. The

variants fertilized with NPK (V3) and NPK supplemented with microelements

(V4) also showed values higher than the control, respectively 0.51% and 0.53%,

the differences being statistically significant (p<0.05).

The results suggest that organic fertilization favors the accumulation of lutein to a

greater extent than mineral fertilization. This effect can be explained by the

improvement of the physical and biological properties of the soil and the gradual

release of nutrients, which stimulate the metabolic processes involved in the

biosynthesis of carotenoids.

Research on Determining the Content of Lutein and Zeaxanthin

in Sweet Corn Grown in Black Crișului Meadow under the Conditions of 2025

63

Table 3. Zeaxanthin content (%) in sugar maize grains by fertilization and sowing time from 2025

Variation

Epoch I

Epoch II

Media

Difference

from the

witness

-

+60.87%

+30.43%

Statistical

significance

(p<0.05)

-

Significant

V1

V2

V3

V4

0.23

0.36

0.29

0.30

0.23

0.38

0.30

0.23

0.37

0.30

The content of zeaxanthin followed a similar trend. The control variant recorded

the lowest average value, of 0.23%, while organic fertilization (V2) determined

the highest concentration, respectively 0.37%, representing an increase of 60.87%

compared to the non-fertilized version. The variants fertilized with NPK and NPK

+ microelements recorded average values of 0.30%, with statistically significant

differences compared to the control.

The results obtained confirm that the application of fertilization positively

influences the accumulation of carotenoids in sugar corn grains. Organic

fertilization has proven to be the most effective option for increasing the lutein

and zeaxanthin content, highlighting the importance of using sustainable

agricultural technologies aimed at improving the nutritional value of agricultural

production.

The relatively small differences between the sowing times indicate that the type of

fertilization had a greater influence on the carotenoid content than the time of

sowing. At the same time, the climatic conditions in 2025, characterized by

favorable temperatures and unevenly distributed rainfall, may have contributed to

the variations observed between the experimental variants.

The results of this study are in line with research in the literature, which highlights

the role of fertilization and nutritional management in stimulating the

accumulation of bioactive compounds in agricultural crops.

Conclusions

Following the research carried out on the influence of fertilization on the lutein

and zeaxanthin content of sugar corn grown in Lunca Crișului Negru, under the

conditions of 2025, the following conclusions can be formulated:

(1) Fertilization significantly influenced the accumulation of carotenoids in

sugar corn grains, all fertilized variants showing higher values compared

to the control variant.

Raul-Dacian Vidican, Aurelia Ioana Chereji,

64

Cristina Maria Maerescu, Nicu Cornel Sabău, Radu Petru Brejea

(2) The highest concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin was recorded in the

organically fertilized compost (V2) version, demonstrating the efficiency

of organic fertilization in stimulating the synthesis of bioactive

compounds.

(3) Mineral fertilization with NPK and fertilization with NPK supplemented

with microelements also led to significant increases in carotenoid content,

but the values obtained were lower than the organic variant.

(4) The average lutein content increased by up to 38.64% and that of

zeaxanthin by up to 60.87% compared to the non-fertilized version,

highlighting the positive effect of nutritional management on the

biochemical quality of production.

(5) The differences between the sowing times were reduced, indicating that

the type of fertilization had a greater influence on the carotenoid content

than the time of sowing.

(6) The climatic conditions of 2025, characterized by favorable temperatures

and unevenly distributed rainfall, influenced the development of the crop

and the accumulation of carotenoid compounds.

(7) The results obtained confirm the importance of using organic fertilization

and sustainable agricultural technologies to increase the nutritional value

of sugar maize and to obtain agricultural products with high functional

potential.

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