Zn distribution and bioavailability in whole grain and grain fractions of winter wheat as affected by applications of soil N and foliar Zn combined with N or P

A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of foliar Zn combined with N or P on Zn concentration and bioavailability in wheat grain and its milling fractions under different soil N levels. At maturity, grains were harvested and fractionated into flour and bran for nutrient analysis. Both high soil N supply and foliar Zn-enriched fertilizer applications greatly increased Zn concentration and bioavailability in both whole grain and grain fractions. Compared with foliar Zn alone, foliar Zn combined with N increased Zn concentration and bioavailability, whereas foliar Zn combined with P decreased Zn concentration and bioavailability. However, foliar Zn combined with P slightly increased the protein concentration compared to foliar Zn alone. Protein concentration significantly increased, whereas phytate concentration decreased, in whole grain and flour, both in soil N and foliar Zn-enriched N treatments. Therefore, foliar Zn plus N (with appropriate soil N management) may be a promising strategy for addressing dietary Zn micronutrient deficiencies, especially in countries where flour is a significant component of the daily diet.     

Deoxynivalenol in wheat milling fractions: A critical evaluation regarding ongoing and new legislation limits

New maximum limits (ML) for deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat and its products were set in Brazil in 2017, and new changes are scheduled for 2019. The concentration of DON in wheat and milling fractions (bran, shorts, break flour, reduction flour) was evaluated in samples from commercial fields to discuss the effects of the new legislation. Cleaned wheat samples contaminated with DON had concentrations ranging from 308 to 2373 ng g⁻¹ (n = 29), and one sample had a concentration of 3426 ng g⁻¹. DON concentration obtained in bran and shorts were significantly higher than that of the flours. Compared to the initial concentration in cleaned wheat, DON relative concentrations were 73 and 35% higher in bran and shorts, respectively, and 67% lower in the straight run flour (break plus reduction flour). The bran and straight run flour contained DON concentrations that were 62.1 and 17.2% respectively higher than that of the ML set in Brazil in 2017; additionally, these values would reach 65.5 and 34.5%, respectively, according to the changes to be in effect in 2019. The present study demonstrates DON distribution in wheat milling fractions, thus, providing updated information for the management of DON contamination for the industry and policymakers.     

Improved nitrogen status enhances zinc and iron concentrations both in the whole grain and the endosperm fraction of wheat

This study was conducted to assess the role of increasing N supply in enrichment of whole grain and grain fractions, particularly the endosperm, with Zn and Fe in wheat. The endosperm is the most widely consumed part of wheat grain in many countries. Plants were grown in the greenhouse with different soil applications of N and Zn and with or without foliar Zn spray. Whole grain and grain fractions were analyzed for N, P, Zn and Fe. Increased N supply significantly enhanced the Zn and Fe concentrations in all grain fractions. In the case of high Zn supply, increasing N application enhanced the whole grain Zn concentration by up to 50% and the endosperm Zn by over 80%. Depending on foliar Zn supply, high N elevated the endosperm Fe concentration up to 100%. High N also generally decreased the P/Zn and P/Fe molar ratios in whole grain and endosperm. The results demonstrate that improved N nutrition, especially when combined with foliar Zn treatment, is effective in increasing Zn and Fe of the whole grain and particularly the endosperm fraction, at least in the greenhouse, and might be a promising strategy for tackling micronutrient deficiencies in countries where white flour is extensively consumed.     

Changes in common wheat grain milling behavior and tissue mechanical properties following ozone treatment

Ozone treatment (10 g/kg) of common wheat grains with a new patented process, Oxygreen^®, used before milling was found to significantly reduce (by 10–20%) the required energy at breaking stage whatever the grain hardness and without changes in the flour yield. Detailed study of each of the milling steps undertaken on a hard type cultivar showed that both the breaking and the reduction energy were decreased. Reduction of the coarse bran yield was also observed concomitantly with an increase in the yield of white shorts. Biochemical characterization of the milling fractions pointed out changes in technological flour properties as starch damage reduction, aleurone content enrichment and increase of insoluble glutenin polymers. Measurement of wheat grain tissue mechanical properties showed that ozone treatment leads to reduction of the aleurone layer extensibility and affects the local endosperm resistance to rupture. These data as well as the direct effect of ozone oxidation on biochemical compounds could explain the observed changes in milling energy, bran and shorts yield and flour composition.     

Agronomic approaches for improving the micronutrient density in edible portions of field crops

Increased micronutrient density in grain destined for human consumption may alleviate micronutrient deficiencies (Fe, Zn, Cu, and I) in human populations around the world. The review of literature indicates that fertilization with inorganic and organic forms of micronutrients has a potential to increase their concentrations in grain. The most effective fertilization could be via soil (for Zn and, to some extent, Cu), foliarly (for Fe) and by adding fertilizers to the irrigation water (for iodine). Care should be exercised not to overfertilize crops with micronutrients because of consequent toxicity and losses in quality and quantity of grain yield. Effectiveness of various agricultural measures in increasing micronutrient density depends on soil type, crop, cultivar, rotation, and environmental and other factors, thus necessitating development of a specific set of measures for individual regions. Agricultural measures would need to be supplemented with appropriate changes in the milling technology to ascertain that increased micronutrient concentrations in some grain parts are passed into the food chain.     

The antioxidant potential of milling fractions from breadwheat and durum

The effect of primary processing, namely milling, on the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of two wheat cultivars, namely Canada Western Amber Durum (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) and Canada Western Red Spring (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied. The milling products: bran, flour, shorts and feed flour fractions were examined. In addition, semolina was an end-product of durum wheat milling. Antioxidant activity of wheat phenoliocs was evaluated using oxygen radical absorbance capacity, inhibition of photochemiluminescence, the Rancimat method, and inhibition of oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and deoxyribonucleic acid. The phenolic composition of wheat extracts was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Bran showed the highest antioxidant activity whereas the endosperm possessed the lowest in both cultivars examined. The phenolic compounds are concentrated in the outermost layers namely the bran. The consumption of wheat with bran in the form of whole grain may provide beneficial health effects.     

氮肥用量对苏中冬小麦地上部主要矿质元素含量的影响

为了明确施氮量对苏中地区冬小麦主要矿质元素含量的影响,以扬麦11和扬麦13为材料,在江苏丹阳设置3个氮素水平(0、150、300kg.hm-2),研究不同施氮量对冬小麦籽粒、茎鞘和叶片中Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu、Ca、Mg和P等矿质元素含量的影响。结果表明,增施氮肥能显著提高冬小麦籽粒、茎鞘、叶片、面粉和麸皮中的Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu和Ca含量,但P含量明显下降。与对照(N0)相比,施氮量达300kg.hm-2时,扬麦11籽粒中的Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu和Ca含量分别增加了11.74%、32.20%、31.78%、66.87%和53.75%,P含量降低23.06%,茎鞘中Zn、Cu和Ca含量增加106.34%、136.97%和51.15%,P含量降低46.46%;扬麦13籽粒中Zn、Cu和Ca含量分别比对照(N0)增加33.03%、59.67%和56.63%,Mg和P含量分别降低14.10%和25.41%,叶片中Mn、Cu、Ca和Mg分别增加174.54%、27.15%、41.66%和29.95%。随着氮肥用量增加,籽粒中Mg含量呈下降趋势,但茎鞘和叶片中Mg含量呈递增趋势。籽粒、茎鞘和叶片中不同矿质元素含量对氮肥的响应存在品种间差异。在本试验条件下,适量施氮可以提高冬小麦籽粒中微量元素的含量。但是,氮肥用量过高可能降低籽粒中P和Mg的含量,不利于籽粒矿质营养品质的提高。     

氮肥对不同玉米品种子粒微量元素含量和生物有效性的影响

研究田间施用氮肥对吉林省4个玉米品种子粒中Zn、Fe、Mn、Cu含量以及Zn与Fe生物有效性的影响。结果表明,施用氮肥可增加玉米子粒中Zn、Fe含量,过量施氮玉米子粒中Zn和Fe含量不再增加甚至呈下降趋势;子粒中Mn含量随氮肥增加而提高,Cu含量随氮肥增加而降低,4个品种中只有吉四单19在过量施氮时子粒Mn含量呈下降趋势。随氮肥水平提高,玉米子粒中Zn、Fe和Mn累积量呈递增趋势,Cu累积量变化不显著。全磷与这些矿物质元素的比值(P/Zn、P/Fe)表明,氮肥施用将显著降低玉米子粒中Zn和Fe的生物有效性。     

Mineral element distributions in milling fractions of Chinese wheats

Malnutrition related to micronutrient deficiency can create immense economic and societal problems. The objective of this study was to quantify the mineral element concentration distribution in milled fractions, using 43 common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars sown in Jinan, China during the 2005–2006 crop season. All 43 cultivars had low Fe (average 28.2 mg Kg⁻¹) and Zn (28.6 mg Kg⁻¹) concentrations, and wide ranges of variation for mineral element concentrations. Highly significant effects among milling fractions and cultivars on all traits were observed, with fraction effect being the larger. There was an uneven distribution of mineral element concentrations in wheat grain. Shorts and bran fractions had the highest mineral element concentrations, whereas flours from break and reduction had low concentrations. Compared with those in the central endosperm, the concentration of inorganic phosphorus (Pi) decreased the most with decreasing flour yield, whereas the concentration of phytic acid P (PAP), phytase activity, and Ca decreased the least. Pi was the most concentrated element in the aleurone, whereas PAP, phytase activity, and Ca were the least, compared to those in the central endosperm. Milling technique through adjusting flour yield can be used to improve the element composition of flour.     

Mineral element distributions in milling fractions of Chinese wheats

Malnutrition related to micronutrient deficiency can create immense economic and societal problems. The objective of this study was to quantify the mineral element concentration distribution in milled fractions, using 43 common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars sown in Jinan, China during the 2005–2006 crop season. All 43 cultivars had low Fe (average 28.2 mg Kg⁻¹) and Zn (28.6 mg Kg⁻¹) concentrations, and wide ranges of variation for mineral element concentrations. Highly significant effects among milling fractions and cultivars on all traits were observed, with fraction effect being the larger. There was an uneven distribution of mineral element concentrations in wheat grain. Shorts and bran fractions had the highest mineral element concentrations, whereas flours from break and reduction had low concentrations. Compared with those in the central endosperm, the concentration of inorganic phosphorus (Pi) decreased the most with decreasing flour yield, whereas the concentration of phytic acid P (PAP), phytase activity, and Ca decreased the least. Pi was the most concentrated element in the aleurone, whereas PAP, phytase activity, and Ca were the least, compared to those in the central endosperm. Milling technique through adjusting flour yield can be used to improve the element composition of flour.     

Variation in mineral micronutrient concentrations in grain of wheat lines of diverse origin

150 lines of bread wheat representing diverse origin and 25 lines of durum, spelt, einkorn and emmer wheat species were analysed for variation in micronutrient concentrations in grain. A subset of 26 bread wheat lines was grown at six sites or seasons to identify genetically determined differences in micronutrient concentrations. Substantial variation among the 175 lines existed in grain Fe, Zn and Se concentrations. Spelt, einkorn and emmer wheats appeared to contain higher Se concentration in grain than bread and durum wheats. Significant differences between bread wheat genotypes were found for grain Fe and Zn, but not Se concentration; the latter was influenced more by the soil supply. Grain Zn, but not Fe, concentration correlated negatively with grain yield, and there was a significant decreasing trend in grain Zn concentration with the date of variety release, suggesting that genetic improvement in yield has resulted in a dilution of Zn concentration in grain. Both grain Zn and Fe concentrations also correlated positively and significantly with grain protein content and P concentration, but the correlations with kernel size, kernel weight or bran yield were weak. The results from this study are useful for developing micronutrient biofortification strategies.     

Lignans in triticale grain and triticale products

This study determined the lignan content of seven varieties of triticale grain and compared these values with wheat and rye grain, with triticale milling fractions (bran, shorts, and refined flour), and triticale products (sprouted grain, malt, fermented bread dough, baked dough, dried pasta and cooked pasta). Acid hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis were used to release the lignans in extracts. We carried out qualitative and quantitative analysis of secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol, lariciresinol, syringaresinol, and pinoresinol levels using an Acquity UPLC liquid chromatograph with photodiode and mass Acquity TQD detectors. The most abundant lignan in all samples was syringaresinol, which made up 80% of all lignans. The lignan content of triticale grain varied from 392 to 792 μg·100gd·m⁻¹ (acid hydrolysis) and from 685 to 1189 μg·100gd·m⁻¹(enzymatic hydrolysis), depending on the variety. The lignan levels in triticale bran were almost three times those found in the grain; in flour, there was one fifth or even one tenth as much, whereas the shorts had similar levels as the grain. After three days of germination, the amount of lignans in the triticale grain increased by 17%–32%. A greater increase in lignan content (by factors of 1.4 and 2.3) was found in triticale after extrusion cooking. Fermentation led to lignan concentrations increasing slightly (2–14%), but this was then reduced in the baking process. Extracts from dry pasta contained similar or lower amounts than did the raw material, but the concentration was higher in cooked pasta (14%–47%). The enzymatic hydrolyzed extracts contained on average 36% higher lignan content than did the acid hydrolyzed samples.     

Effects of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels on Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn Concentrations in Shoot and Grain Quality in Rice （Oryza sativa）

In a pot experiment, effects of N fertilizer application on the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in shoot of rice and the quality of brown rice were studied. In the treatments with N fertilizer application, the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in most parts of rice shoot increased compared with control (no N fertilizer application). This indicated that the transportation ability of microelements from root to shoot in rice was improved with N fertilizer application. Effect of N fertilizer on IR68144 was similar to that of on IR64, but the concentrations of the microelements in plant differed, suggesting that the characteristic expression of the two rice genotypes was not controlled by the amount of N fertilizer supplied. The concentrations of those microelements in brown rice increased at first and then decreased with increasing N fertilizer application, reaching the highest at 160 kg/ha, at which the Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn concentrations in brown rice increased by 28.96%, 41.34%, 58.31% and 16.0% for IR64, and by 22.16%, 13.75%, 8.75% and 20.21% for IR68144 compared with control, respectively. Moreover, N fertilizer promoted the accumulation of protein, decreased the accumulation of amylose in grain, and enhanced gel consistency of brown rice. These results indicate that appropriate N fertilizer management could increase micronutrient contents in grain and improve nutrition quality of rice.     

北京地区不同年代冬小麦品种籽粒微量元素含量的变化及其对水分的响应

为探讨北京地区小麦品种更替过程中籽粒微量元素含量的演变规律,选用20世纪60年代以来小麦品种更替过程中的7个主要推广品种,分别种植在春不浇水和春浇二水条件下,测定了小麦籽粒中Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu、蛋白质含量以及籽粒产量.结果表明,北京地区小麦品种更替过程中,随着产量的提高,籽粒微量元素含量并没有出现明显的稀释效应,而且有些营养成分含量(如Fe、Mn)随着年代更替出现明显提高的趋势;春不浇水降低了籽粒Fe、Zn、Cu和蛋白质含量,但提高了籽粒Mn含量.相关分析表明,小麦籽粒Fe、Zn、Cu含量与蛋白质含量呈正相关,Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu、蛋白质含量与籽粒产量、穗粒数和千粒重以及年代之间也呈正相关,说明在产量改良的过程中有望同步提高籽粒微量元素和蛋白质含量.     

碳氮供给对小麦离体穗培养粒重、微量元素及蛋白质含量的影响

为了解碳氮供给与小麦粒重、Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu等微量元素以及蛋白质含量的关系,在离体穗培养条件下研究了灌浆初期和灌浆中期不同浓度C(蔗糖)、N(硝酸铵)供给对小麦粒重、微量元素(Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu)和蛋白质含量的影响.结果表明,随着培养基糖浓度的增大,粒重和Fe、Mn含量都表现为先升高后降低的趋势,在4%糖浓度时,均达到最高值;籽粒Zn、Cu和蛋白质含量表现为随糖浓度增大而持续降低.随着培养基N浓度的增加,粒重和Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu含量多表现为先升高后降低的趋势,且多在N浓度为0.07%时达到最高值,尤以灌浆中期开始的培养表现明显;籽粒蛋白质含量表现为随N浓度增大而持续增加.由此可见,外源C、N供给对粒重、微量元素和蛋白质含量有明显的调控效应.一定的糖供给可同时提高粒重和Fe、Mn含量,一定的N供给可同时提高粒重及微量元素和蛋白质含量.     

不同基因型小麦籽粒、面粉和麸皮中Ca和Zn含量的差异

为了筛选富含人体必需营养元素钙（Ca）和锌（Zn）的小麦品种,改善食品营养结构,以来自长江中下游地区的推广品种和部分国内外引进的小麦品种（共112个）为材料,进行了籽粒Ca和Zn含量的测定和分析,通过聚类分析选出其中39个代表性品种,对其麸皮和面粉中的Ca和Zn含量进行了进一步分析。结果表明,不同基因型品种籽粒中Ca和Zn含量的变异范围较宽,品种间存在极显著差异,面粉、麸皮和籽粒中均存在含量较高的品种。Ca和Zn含量均表现为麸皮中最高,变异幅度最宽,籽粒中次之,面粉中最低且变异幅度也较小,但“面粉麸皮籽粒”中营养元素的含量关系比较复杂,并不总是呈显著正相关。品种NP164、青紫1号和荆州D402等可作为提高当地小麦面粉Ca和Zn含量的重要种质资源加以应用。     

氮锌肥配施对小麦籽粒不同类型混合粉锌营养品质的影响

为明确氮、锌肥配施对小麦籽粒不同类型混合粉锌营养品质的影响规律，采用田间试验，研究了氮、锌肥配施对小麦籽粒产量、不同类型混合粉中氮、锌含量及其累积量的影响及混合粉中植酸含量、植酸与锌的摩尔比（PA/Zn）和锌日吸收量的变化规律。结果表明，锌肥处理对小麦籽粒产量、各类型混合粉中的氮含量及其累积量无显著影响；与不施氮对照比较，施氮处理小麦籽粒产量提高93.7%，各类型混合粉中氮含量及其累积量显著提高，以施氮量240 kg·hm^-2处理最高。喷锌处理下，各类型混合粉中锌含量显著增加，精制粉、标准粉、通粉和全粉中锌累积量较对照依次提高了63.3%、58.0%、48.6%和50.9%；施氮后，各类型混合粉的锌含量及其累积量显著增加，以喷施锌肥处理更为明显。全粉和通粉中的植酸含量显著高于精制粉和标准粉，但PA/Zn低于精制粉和标准粉。喷锌后，精制粉、标准粉和全粉中植酸含量增加13.0%~ 15.4%，但PA/Zn下降23.8%~34.7%；施氮降低了精制粉、通粉和全粉中的植酸含量和PA/Zn。全粉中锌日吸收量为0.98 mg·d^-1，显著高于其他各混合粉；喷施锌肥后，各类型混合粉的锌日吸收量提高了 35.9%~61.0%；施氮显著提高了各类型混合粉的锌日吸收量。     

Determination of phenolic acid concentrations in wheat flours produced at different extraction rates

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the distribution of phenolic acids in wheat flours produced from five milling extraction rates ranging from 60% to 100% in four cultivars sown in two locations in the 2008–2009 season. Considerable variation was observed in free and bound phenolic acids, and their components in flours with different extraction rates. Most phenolic acids, including the component ferulic, were present in the bound form (94.0%). Ferulic (51.0%) was the predominant phenolic acid in wheat grain, and caffeic (22.8%) and p-coumaric (17.6%) acids were abundant. The phenolic acids and their components were all significantly influenced by effects of cultivar, milling, location, and cultivar × milling interaction, with milling effect being the predominant. The proportions of phenolic compounds varied considerably among milling extractions and cultivars, and their levels depended on both initial grain concentrations and on selection of milling extraction that was incorporated into the final product. The grain phenolic acid concentrations determined ranged from 54 μg g⁻¹ in flour produced at 60% extraction rate to 695 μg g⁻¹ in flour produced at 100% extraction rate, indicating their higher concentrations in bran associated with cell wall materials. Therefore, wholemeal wheat products maximize health benefits and are strongly recommended for use in food processing.     

小麦籽粒微量元素含量的研究进展

以禾谷类作物为主食引起的人体摄取必需微量元素(特别是Fe和Zn)不足,已对现代社会和谐发展造成沉重的经济负担和安全隐患。小麦(Triticum aestivumL.)是中国和全球大多数人主要的食物和矿质元素来源。小麦籽粒中Zn、Fe含量普遍较低,已引起国内外学者们的高度关注。本文综述了小麦籽粒微量元素含量器官间、基因型间的差异及其影响因素和相关性状研究进展,介绍了小麦籽粒吸收和富集微量元素的生理与遗传基础,展望了提高小麦籽粒微量元素的研究内容和方向。     

Using stress tolerance indicator (STI) to select high grain yield iron-deficiency tolerant wheat genotypes in calcareous soils

Despite large variation among crop genotypes in response to Fe fertilization, there is no reliable indicator for identifying Fe-deficiency tolerant wheat genotypes with high grain yield. The aim of this investigation was to compare the grain yield response of 20 spring and 30 winter bread wheat genotypes to Fe fertilization under field conditions and to select high grain yield Fe-deficiency tolerant genotypes using a stress tolerance indicator (STI). Two individual trials, each one consisting two field plot experiments, were conducted during 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 growing seasons. Spring wheat genotypes (Trial l) and winter wheat genotypes (Trial 2) were planted at two different locations. Two Fe rates (0 and 20 kg Fe ha⁻¹ as Fe-EDTA) were applied. Spring and winter wheat genotypes differed significantly (P < 0.01) in the grain yield both with and without added Fe treatments. Application of Fe fertilizer increased grain yield of spring wheat genotypes by an average of 211 and 551 kg ha⁻¹ in Karaj and Isfahan locations, respectively. By Fe application, the mean grain yield of winter wheat genotypes increased 532 and 798 kg ha⁻¹ in Karaj and Isfahan sites, respectively. Iron efficiency (Fe-EF) significantly differed among wheat genotypes and ranged from 65% to 113% for spring wheat and from 69% to 125% for winter wheat genotypes. No significant correlation was found between Fe-EF and grain yield of spring wheat genotypes under Fe deficient conditions. For winter wheat genotypes grown in Mashhad, Fe-efficiency was not significantly correlated with the grain yield produced without added Fe treatment. The STI was significantly (P < 0.01) varied among spring and winter wheat genotypes. The interaction between location and genotype had no significant effect on the STI. According to these results, the STI should be considered as an effective criterion for screening programs, if a high potential grain yield together with more stable response to Fe fertilization in different environments is desired.