Feasibility for improving phytonutrient content in vegetable crops using conventional breeding strategies: Case study with carotenoids and tocopherols in sweet corn and broccoli

摘要

Among vegetables, sweet corn Zea mays L. and broccoli Brassica oleracea L. ssp. italica are important sources of dietary carotenoids and tocopherols. Because medical evidence suggests that carotenoid and tocopherol health-promoting activity acts in a do se -dependent manner, conventional breeding to develop elite sweet corn and broccoli germplasm with enhanced levels of these phytochemic als will potentially promote health among the consuming public.