The objective of this research was to determine the nutritional and bioactive components of corn silk (Zea mays hair) which is a wasted agricultural product found in abundance from southern senatorial zone of Kaduna state Nigeria. The results of the nutritional composition and bioactive components of the matured corn silk (Zea-mays hair) revealed the presence of ash, crude lipid, proteins, crude fibre, total carbohydrate, and energy value in high and moderate amounts. The microelements such as Zn, Mn, Fe and macro elements Ca, and K which play important roles in animal and human physiological functions were present. Bioactive constituents of the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, phenols and terpenoids in both methanolic and hexane extracts while alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were absent in methanol extract and phlobatannins in hexane extract. The presence of these nutritional and bioactive components in the matured corn silk (Zea mays hair) justify the use of this waste agricultural product in animal feed formulation and its various medicinal applications which can also improve the quality of health and wellbeing of the rural dwellers in the southern senatorial zone of Kaduna state when included in their diets.

Keywords: Zea Mays hair, nutritional composition, bioactive component, phytoconstituents, mineral composition