Variation in polar lipids located on the surface of wheat starch

It is unknown whether starch isolated before dough development has the same surface lipid composition as starch isolated after dough development. The abundance of starch surface polar lipids is related to the physical hardness of the endosperm, but the variation in specific lipid classes and molecular species is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the variation in polar lipids present on the surface of wheat starch granules. The experimental wheat lines used are, within each set, near-isogenic to each other but vary in endosperm hardness. Starch was isolated using two different processes: a dough and a batter method. Direct infusion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantitatively determine the polar lipid species in wheat flour and on starch. Wide ranges in starch surface polar lipid concentrations were observed between the starch isolation methods. Starch isolation method provided a greater source of variation than did wheat kernel hardness. When dough is optimally mixed, lipids originally on the surface of wheat starch are dissociated, whereas in a batter system, starch surface lipids stay associated with the starch surface. The predominant starch surface polar lipids were digalactosyldigylcerol (DGDG), monogalactosyldigylcerol (MGDG) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) polar lipid classes.     

Puroindolines are associated with decreased polar lipid breakdown during wheat seed development

The wheat Hardness (Ha) locus consists of Puroindoline a (Pina) and Puroindoline b (Pinb) and controls whether wheat is soft or hard textured. PINA and PINB act cooperatively to create grain softness and are associated with increased polar lipids at seed maturity. Here we examined developing seeds varying in PINA or PINB content to identify when polar lipid differences occur. One population carried Wild Type (WT) PINA while varying for the presence of PINB, while the other population carried a WT PINB and segregated for PINA. For the PINB segregating population, polar lipids were maximal on a per mg dry weight basis at 7–14 days after anthesis (DAA) while for PINA segregating population, total polar lipids were maximal at 7–21 DAA. The most abundant polar lipids at maturity were mono- and di- galactosyldiglyceride. No individual polar lipid species were specific to PINA or PINB. The effect of both PINA and PINB increased throughout seed development with greater decreases in the most abundant polar lipids in genotypes lacking either PINA or PINB. The results indicate that PINA and PINB act cooperatively to prevent polar lipid breakdown during seed maturation and that this process is central to the development of grain softness.     

Puroindolines co-localize to the starch granule surface and increase seed bound polar lipid content

Endosperm texture in wheat is controlled by the Pina and Pinb genes that comprise the Hardness (Ha) locus. Studies have shown that soft and hard varieties differ in the amount of starch bound polar lipids but have not addressed whether PINs are directly involved and whether the presence of one particular PIN affects seed polar lipid levels and cellular localization. Here, we determined the effect of overexpressing PINA or PINB on seed bound polar lipids and PIN localization. F₃ recombinants homozygous for either a Pina or Pinb null Ha locus with or lacking a transgenically added Pina or Pinb were analyzed for grain hardness, PIN abundance, and seed bound polar lipid levels. Overexpressed PINs resulted in reduced hardness, increased starch bound PINs, and increased seed bound polar lipids. Addition of PINA to the PINA nulls or PINB to the PINB nulls resulted in higher bound polar lipid levels than the addition of the alternative PIN. Both PINs localized to the starch surface in the presence or absence of the other protein. Our results indicate that PIN overexpression results in reduced endosperm texture and increased seed bound polar lipids and that PINs independently localize to the surface of starch granules.     

Milling and Chinese raw white noodle qualities of common wheat near-isogenic lines differing in puroindoline b alleles

Understanding the effects of different alleles at the puroindoline b (Pinb) locus on processing quality will provide crucial information for quality improvement. Seven near-isogenic lines (NILs) planted at two locations in the 2008 cropping season were used to determine the effect of puroindoline b alleles on milling performance and Chinese raw white noodle (CRWN) quality. The Pina-D1b/Pinb-D1a genotype possessed significantly higher values in grain hardness, protein content and starch damage than other genotypes, whereas the Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1d genotype had the lowest grain hardness and starch damage, with higher break flour yield, and less reduction flour yield, higher flour colour L*, and lower flour colour b*, than other genotypes. Farinograph parameters, except for water absorption, were not significantly affected by variation of puroindoline b alleles. Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1e had the highest peak viscosity, whereas the lowest value was observed in a Pina-D1b/Pinb-D1a genotype. For CRWN quality, higher noodle viscoelasticity was obtained in the genotype Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1e and Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1g, whereas Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1d had a lower smoothness score. Genotypes with Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1e and Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1g produced the best total noodle score. It was concluded that genotype Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1d had better milling qualities, whereas Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1e and Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1g had slightly superior CRWN qualities in comparison with other genotypes.     

Variation of wheat grain lipid fraction and its antioxidative status under the impact of delayed sowing

This study determined the profile of hydrophobic phytochemicals (steroid-like components and lipophilic phenolics) and antioxidant potential (DPPH and Rancimat tests) of wheat grain in relation to sowing date (standard vs. delayed) using six cultivars of Triticum aestivum wheat grown in Poland. The study found that “sowing time” generally had a low impact on sterols, carotenoids, squalene and total lipophilic phenolics in wheat grain. The highest impact of “sowing time” was noted for α-tocopherol, C19:0 alkylresorcinol and campesterol. Delayed sowing reduced their content by up to 9%. The antioxidant potential of grain extracts obtained by the use of water-saturated butanol (WSB) was mostly cultivar-dependent (depending on assay: DPPH 56.3% and Rancimat 75.1% of explained variation, respectively). Wheat grain WSB extracts increased rapeseed oil induction time by up to 21% and their antioxidant capacity was up to 1.24 μM TEg⁻¹.     

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.     

Localisation of iron in wheat grain using high resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry

Insufficient iron (Fe) is one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in humans, with billions of people affected. Cereal grains are an important source of Fe for humans but the bioavailability of Fe in cereals is generally low. Information regarding the cellular and sub-cellular localisation of Fe in wheat grain will aid optimising nutrient delivery for human health. In this study high resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) was used to map the distribution of Fe in the aleurone layer and in the endosperm of immature wheat grain. Iron was shown to be localised strongly in the phytin globoids in the aleurone cells and to a lesser extent in the cytoplasm around the starch granules in the endosperm.     

基于液相色谱-串联质谱法分析不同植物油经加热处理前后氧化脂肪酸的变化

植物油中的氧化脂肪酸主要是亚油酸(linoleic acid, LA)和亚麻酸(linolenic acid, ALA)等多不饱和脂肪酸在酶、光照、加热等条件下产生的过氧化羟基脂肪酸(hydroperoxyl fatty acid)、羟基脂肪酸(hydroxy fatty acids)和环氧基脂肪酸(epoxy fatty acid)等。这些氧化脂肪酸的变化在一定程度上反映了油脂本身的氧化稳定性和氧化初期的变化,可作为植物油氧化初级阶段标志物。本研究基于高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱(high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry,HPLC-Qq Q-MS/MS)联用技术,对室温和180℃加热处理30min后的菜籽油、葵花油、紫苏油、亚麻籽油中氧化脂肪酸进行了定性和定量分析。结果表明,相比于室温,经180℃加热处理30min,4种植物油中的LA、ALA等多不饱和脂肪酸含量下降;大部分LA、ALA类氧化脂肪酸的含量明显提高。经主成分分析(Principal component analysis, PCA),不同种类和处理下的植物油样本聚类明显,差异显著;经偏最小二乘法判别分析(Partial least squares discriminant analysis,PLS-DA),发现了植物油加热氧化初期的13-HODE、13-oxo-ODE、12,13-Ep OME、9,10-Ep ODE、12,13-Ep ODE、15,16-Ep ODE六种潜在的标志物,本研究对植物油氧化初期的评价以及植物油氧化初级阶段机制的深入研究具有一定的指导意义。     

Integration of transcriptomic and proteomic data from a single wheat cultivar provides new tools for understanding the roles of individual alpha gliadin proteins in flour quality and celiac disease

The complement of alpha gliadins expressed in a single wheat cultivar was examined by assembling expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from Triticum aestivum cv. Butte 86. Twelve of 19 resulting contigs encoded complete proteins, but only two were identical to proteins reported previously. Eight contained various combinations of epitopes important in celiac disease (CD), while four lacked typical CD epitopes. One alpha gliadin contained an additional cysteine residue that could allow incorporation of the protein into glutenin polymers. In addition, two new types of alpha gliadins ending in GFFGTN and GIMSTN were identified. Based on the number of ESTs, genes encoding proteins that contained the greatest numbers of CD epitopes were expressed at the highest levels. Proteins corresponding to 12 contigs were distinguished in Butte 86 flour by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Unique peptide tags for individual alpha gliadins, including some that lack CD epitopes and the protein containing the extra cysteine, are reported. The ability to distinguish closely related alpha gliadins by MS/MS makes it possible to explore the roles of individual proteins in flour quality, better define relationships between specific proteins and celiac disease, and devise strategies to reduce the immunogenic potential of wheat flour for patients with CD.     

甘蓝型油菜不同硫苷含量品系 辐射敏感性差异

选择硫苷性状差异较大,而其它品质性状和农艺性状相近的油菜品系967H和967L为材料,探讨了甘蓝型油菜对辐射的敏感性与硫苷含量的关系。结果显示,低硫苷品系比高硫苷品系对辐射敏感。967H的800Gy、1000Gy和1200Gy辐射处理发芽率均极显著高于967L;967H的这三种辐射剂量处理成苗率比967L分别高9.8%、19.8％和20.1％。相同剂量的辐射处理对967L的M1和M2代植株农艺性状的影响显著大于967H,对967L主要农艺性状产生显著影响的辐射剂量为800Gy以上,而对967H主要农艺性状产生显著影响的辐射剂量为1000Gy以上。967L辐射处理M2代植株品质指标变化幅度和突变株发生频率均大于967H。     

Variation in gluten quality parameters of spring wheat varieties of different origin grown in contrasting environments

The aim of this study was to investigate variation in protein content and gluten viscoelastic properties in wheat genotypes grown in two mega-environments of contrasting climates: the southeast of Norway and Minnesota, USA. Twelve spring wheat varieties, nine from Norway and three HRS from Minnesota, were grown in field experiments at different locations in Norway and Minnesota during 2009–2011. The results showed higher protein content but lower TW and TKW when plants were grown in Minnesota, while the gluten quality measured as Rmax showed large variation between locations in both mega-environments. On average, Rmax of the samples grown in Minnesota was higher than those grown in Norway, but some locations in Norway had similar Rmax values to locations in Minnesota. The data showed inconsistent relationship between the temperature during grain filling and Rmax. Our results suggest that the weakening effect of low temperatures on gluten reported in this study are caused by other environmental factors that relate to low temperatures. The variety Berserk showed higher stability in Rmax as it obtained higher values in the environments in Norway that gave very weak gluten for other varieties.     

Effects of post-anthesis fertilizer on the protein composition of the gluten polymer in a US bread wheat

Both genetic and environmental factors influence the types and amounts of wheat proteins that link together to form polymers essential for flour quality. To understand how plant growth conditions might influence gluten polymer formation, protein fractions containing small and large polymers were separated from flour from the US wheat Butte 86 grown in the absence or presence of post-anthesis fertilizer. Proteins in the polymer fractions were analyzed by quantitative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The ratio of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) to low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) increased in both fractions in response to fertilizer, due in part to small increases in the proportions of individual HMW-GS. There were also changes within the LMW-GS. In particular, omega and alpha chain terminators increased in proportion in both polymer fractions, but changes were more pronounced in the large polymer fractions. Serpins also increased in both polymer fractions. Additionally, the study revealed differences in the proportions of traditional LMW-GS in small and large polymer fractions. LMW-s type proteins were more abundant in the large polymers while LMW-i type proteins were more prevalent in the small polymers, suggesting that these proteins may play different roles in the gluten polymer.     

Variation in avenanthramide content in spring oat over multiple environments

Avenanthramides (AVNs), a group of phytochemicals which are unique to oats, provide health benefits through antioxidant activity and other bioactivities. In this study, we explored genotype-by-environment interactions and heritability for AVN concentrations in oats. Avenanthramide concentrations were quantified for 100 breeding lines and cultivars at three locations over two years. While year and environment had an influence on AVN concentrations, with the influence of year being more apparent than that of environment within a year, genotype had the largest impact on AVN concentration. All three major AVNs were found to be heritable. Two methods of calculating heritability on a line mean basis were used. The statistical method yielded heritability estimates of 0.34, 0.39, and 0.41 for AVN 2c, AVN 2p, and AVN 2f, respectively. By comparison the traditional plant breeding method yielded heritability estimates of 0.82, 0.88, and 0.89 for AVN 2c, AVN 2p, and AVN 2f, respectively, indicating that expected gains will be dependent on the scale of the breeding program, the number of target environments, and climate variability. The estimated heritabilities and the 11-fold range in AVN concentrations in the 100 genotypes studied provided evidence that variability for AVN concentration should allow breeding progress for higher AVN concentration.     

Spatial distribution of functional components in the starchy endosperm of wheat grains

The starchy endosperm of the mature wheat grain comprises three major cell types, namely sub-aleurone cells, prismatic cells and central cells, which differ in their contents of functional components: gluten proteins, starch, cell wall polysaccharides (dietary fibre) and lipids. Gradients are established during grain development but may be modified during grain maturation and are affected by plant nutrition, particularly nitrogen application, and environmental factors. Although the molecular controls of their formation are unknown, the high content of protein and low content of starch of sub-aleurone cells, compared to the other starchy endosperm cells types, may result from differences in developmental programming related to the cells having a separate origin (from anticlinal division of the aleurone cells). The gradients within the grain may be reflected in differences in the compositions of mill streams, particularly those streams enriched in the central and outer cells of the starchy endosperm, respectively, allowing the production of specialist flours for specific end uses.     

Characterization and comparison of predominant aroma compounds in microwave-treated wheat germ and evaluation of microwave radiation on stability

The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of microwave (MW) output power and treatment time on moisture content, lipase and lipoxygenase activities as well as colour changes of wheat germ (WG). In addition, the key aroma compounds in different MW-power-treated WG, which is of importance to the flavour of WG products, were also investigated. The obtained results showed that MW treatment maintained the inherent colour of WG and significantly reduced the moisture content (maximum reduction of 95%) and the activities of lipase and lipoxygenase (maximum reduction of 65% and 99%, respectively). In terms of aroma compounds, with the increase of the MW output power, the content of esters, alkanes, alcohols and acids decreased, while the content of heterocyclic compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, aldehydes and ketones increased, providing more compounds with roasted flavour and less volatiles with grass-like flavour. Therefore, MW treatment was an effective stabilization method for WG utilization.