Question

Which of the following food grains has the highest amount of $\beta$ carotene?

• A. Wheat
• B. Maize
• C. Bajra
• D. Rice

Hint:

Yellow-orange pigmentation in crops is often a strong visual indicator of carotenoids. Maize's bright yellow color is due to carotenoids, including provitamin A $\beta$-carotene, which are absent in standard white rice and wheat.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks which of the common cereal grains listed contains the highest natural concentration of $\beta$-carotene (beta-carotene), a carotenoid pigment that acts as a precursor to Vitamin A.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• Carotenoids in Grains: $\beta$-carotene is a lipid-soluble orange-yellow pigment. Cereal grains generally contain low amounts of provitamin A carotenoids, but yellow maize is a notable exception.

• Maize (Corn) Pigmentation: Yellow maize contains significant amounts of carotenoids, primarily lutein and zeaxanthin (which give it its yellow color), along with provitamin A carotenoids like $\beta$-carotene, $\beta$-cryptoxanthin, and $\alpha$-carotene.

• Nutritional Comparison:

• Yellow Maize: Contains appreciable levels of carotenoids, typically ranging from $0.5$ to $4\text{ }\mu\text{g/g}$ of $\beta$-carotene equivalents. Biofortified varieties (Provitamin A Maize) have been developed to contain even higher levels.

• Wheat, Bajra (Pearl Millet), and White Rice: These grains contain negligible to trace amounts of $\beta$-carotene. Standard polished white rice contains virtually zero $\beta$-carotene, which led to the development of genetically engineered "Golden Rice" to address vitamin A deficiency.

Step 3: Final Answer: Among the common food grains listed, maize contains the highest natural level of $\beta$-carotene, making option (B) the correct choice.