Nutritional and medicinal importance of corn silk in human health

Abstract

Corn silk is an unique byproduct of maize which can provide countless advantages for human health and serve as a source of income. Corn silk contains many bioactive compounds including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, volatile oils, steroids, flavonoids alkaloids, and phenolic compounds which perhaps are responsible for the potential health benefits. Several corn silk-derived extracts and bioactive constituents have been demonstrated to exhibits antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidaemic, anti-obesity, anticancer, anti-hepatotoxicity, anti-nephrotoxicity, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Several studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of corn silk extract against several diseases including diabetes, cancer, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease and liver diseases. The corn silk powder has potential to contribute to the alleviation of dietary nutritional deficiencies and can be utilized in preparation of various traditional and snack products to enhance their nutritive values. Corn silk can help in value addition of the products as well as provide low-cost nutritious alternatives for combating malnutrition. Use of corn silk will lead to valorization of agricultural residue via waste utilization which increases farmer income as well as reduce environmental pollution due to agricultural wastes. There is a great need to strengthen research, testing, and product development activities for the proper, effective, and safe utilization of corn silk.