AGFD 20 |
| Considerable epidemiological evidence exists on the association between consumption of vegetables and incidence of chronic diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) is a popular vegetable abundant in carotenoid (lutein and zeaxanthin) and tocopherol antioxidants that putatively reduce risk from these diseases and are associated with eye health. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. ssp. italica) is also a relatively rich source of these phytochemical antioxidants, as well as glucosinolates whose hydrolysis products possess anti-cancer activity. We report on how genetic variation, the growing environment and product processing interact to regulate the chemical form and concentration of these compounds in these vegetables prior to consumption. Genetic and genomic tools available in corn and Arabidopsis have been employed to identify candidate genes and gene regulatory pathways potentially amenable to genetic and environmental manipulation to enhance these vegetables' health-promoting properties.
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Plant Genomics
1:00 PM-3:15 PM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 BCEC -- 255, Oral
Division of Agricultural & Food Chemistry |