The white edible part of maize is

The correct option is endosperm.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Structure of a Maize Grain:
A maize kernel is a single-seeded fruit called a caryopsis. In this type of grain, the seed coat is fused completely with the outer pericarp (fruit wall).

2. Role of the Endosperm:
The bulk of the maize grain consists of a tissue called the endosperm. This tissue is formed during double fertilization and serves as a major food storage organ for the developing plant embryo.

3. Why it is the Edible Part:
The endosperm is packed with starch and proteins. In white maize, this starch-rich storage tissue is white in color and makes up the primary edible portion of the kernel that is consumed by humans and animals.

4. Other Options Explained:
- Pericarp & Seed coat: These form the thin, fibrous outer skin of the kernel, which is generally tough and not the main edible part.
- Seed: The seed refers to the entire structure (including the embryo, endosperm, and seed coat) rather than the specific white nutritive tissue that we eat.