Exploring the Potential of Black Corn, an Exotic Fruit Rich in Benefits
Black corn may sound a bit unfamiliar to young farmers. Black corn or black sticky corn is another type of corn fruit variety. Its black color is not the result of genetic engineering, but because of the flavonoid anthocyanin content in it. The black color of black sticky corn is due to the pigment that makes the seeds dark black. Black corn is a very special type of corn because of its nutritional content which is good for the body.
Black corn can be consumed in various ways, such as boiled or steamed. Not only that, black corn can also be dried and used as flour for making bread. The nutrients contained in this exotic fruit are fulcic acid, amino acids, potassium, calcium, selenium, niacin, iron, fiber and fat. The protein content in black corn is 20% higher than white or yellow corn.
Black Corn Facts
Apart from having lots of nutritional content that is good for the body, black corn also has several other interesting facts. The first is that black corn has low sugar content. The taste of black corn can be said to be bland and is the least sweet corn, this is because the sugar content is low compared to other types of corn. The second is the high antioxidant content which can function to maintain and repair body cells damaged by pollution or an unhealthy lifestyle. The third fact is that black corn can be harvested quickly. If white or yellow corn takes around 70-90 days to harvest, black corn only takes 2 months to be harvested. However, unfortunately there are still few fans of black corn, because the taste tends to be bland, even though it contains many nutrients that are good for the body.
Benefits of Black Corn
Here are some of the benefits you can get when consuming black corn:
1. Cure Diabetes
The low sugar content in black corn can of course be an alternative food for diabetes sufferers. Black corn has a low glycemic index so its sugar content is also low. Consuming black corn can keep blood sugar levels stable so that it can lower blood pressure and overcome diabetes problems.
2. Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer
The anthocyanin found in black corn not only functions to treat diabetes, but can also reduce the risk of colon cancer. The black color found in corn has nutrients that can prevent cancer and has substances to prevent premature aging.
3. Improves the Immune System
The mineral content in black corn, such as high iron and zinc, can help produce red blood cells and can improve the immune system in the body. Apart from that, other ingredients such as calcium, elenium, potassium, folic acid, niacin and other minerals can also improve the body's immune system.
4. Rich in Protein Content
As previously mentioned, black corn has 20% higher protein content than white and yellow corn. Apart from being high in protein, black corn also contains higher levels of tryptophan and lysine and amino acids than corn in general.
5. Rich in Antioxidants
Its high antioxidant content means that black corn can help with premature aging, prevent and overcome inflammation problems and can overcome various health problems in the body.
Black Corn Cultivation in Bali
Black corn has begun to be cultivated in several regions in Indonesia, including Bali. The Denpasar City Agriculture Service has succeeded in developing black corn during the Covid-19 period. This commodity is the result of trials carried out on 11 Ha of land in the Subak Umadesa area, Penatih Village, East Denpasar. At that time, black corn cultivation succeeded in reaping a harvest of 17.5 tons with a selling price of IDR 1,500-2,000 per kg. According to the Head of the Denpasar City Agriculture Service, I Gede Ambara Putra, black sticky corn is a functional food that can provide health benefits because of its high nutritional content. This relatively large harvest could make black corn a leading commodity in Denpasar City.
How to Care for Black Corn
Black corn has a shorter planting time than regular corn, namely around 2-2.5 months. Caring for black corn is also relatively easy and not complicated, that is, you only need to fertilize regularly. The fertilizers used are Urea, NPK and liquid fertilizer. Providing regular fertilizer, watering and treating pests will make black corn grow optimally. (Nisa)