Abstract: In this experiment， six fresh corn varieties were used as the materials， and accumulated dynamic change of zeaxanthin content in grains was analyzed on 15， 18， 21， 24， 27 and 40 d after pollination. The results showed that the accumulated dynamic change of zeaxanthin content in grains showed a single peak distribution. The zeaxanthin content of all varieties reached the highest value on 24 d after pollination， and then began to decrease and stabilize， except Zhefengtian No. 2， whose zeaxanthin content was highest on 21 d after pollination. Difference of zeaxanthin content in different varieties grains was significant. The highest was Yuetian No. 3 with 14.809 mg·kg-1. The lowest was Jinyinnuo， only up to 5.241 mg·kg-1. The rank of zeaxanthin content in grains was Yuetian No. 3>Supersweet No. 4>Zhetian No. 6>Huazhen>Zhefengtian No. 2>Jinyinnuo， which showed no absolute relationship with grain color. Accumulated rate of zeaxanthin content was different in these varieties. The accumulated rate of Zhefengtian No. 2 was fastest on 18 d after pollination， and Yuetian No. 3 was on 21 d after pollination， while the other four varieties were on 24 d after pollination. In addition， in this study， 24 days after pollination was regarded as optimal harvest period， which was with higher yield， best marketability， good taste， highest zeaxanthin content and highest food value.

Key words: corn, zeaxanthin content, accumulated dynamic change