Effect of high molecular weight glutenins and rye translocations on soft wheat flour cookie quality

The influence of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) on wheat breadmaking quality has been extensively studied but the effect of different Glu-1 alleles on cookie quality is still poorly understood. This study was conducted to analyze the effect of HMW-GS composition and wheat-rye translocations on physicochemical flour properties and cookie quality of soft wheat flours. Alleles encoded at Glu-A1, Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 locus had a significant effect over physicochemical flour properties and solvent retention capacity (SRC) profile. The null allele for Glu-A1 locus presented the highest cookie factor observed (CF = 7.10), whereas 1BL/1RS and 1AL/1RS rye translocations had a negative influence on CF. The three cultivars that showed the highest CF (19, 44 and 47) had the following combination: Glu-A1 = null, Glu-B1 = 7 + 8, Glu-D1 = 2 + 12 and no secalins. Two prediction equations were developed to estimate soft wheat CF: one using the HMW-GS composition and the other using physicochemical flour parameters, where SRCsuc, SRC carb, water-soluble pentosans, damaged starch and protein turned out to be better CF predictors. This data suggests that grain protein allelic composition and physicochemical flour properties can be useful tools in breeding programs to select soft wheat of good cookie making quality.     

Effect of nitrogen application rate on content of glutenin macropolymer and high molecular weight glutenin subunits in grains of two winter wheat cultivars

Two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars differing in grain protein content were selected to study the effect of N application rate on changes in contents of glutenin macropolymer (GMP) and high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) during grain filling. Contents of GMP and HMW-GS were much higher in the high GPC cultivar, Xuzhou 26, than those in low GPC cultivar, Ningmai 9. N increased contents of GMP and HMW-GS in Xuzhou 26 with N rate between 0 and 300 kg ha⁻¹, while at the very high N rate of 300 kg ha⁻¹ the contents of GMP and HMW-GS in Ningmai 9 decreased. The high contents of GMP and HMW-GS at maturity were closely related to the rapid increase in contents of GMP and HMW-GS during the initial period of their synthesis. HMW-GS and GMP content were closely correlated. The total HMW-GS content was important in determining GMP content than the content of any HMW-GS pair or any individual HMW-GS present in the selected cultivars. The pattern of response of GMP content to N application rate was closely related to the regulatory effect of N on HMW-GS synthesis.     

High frequency of abnormal high molecular weight glutenin alleles in Chinese wheat landraces of the Yangtze-River region

A total of 485 common landraces of bread wheat were collected from the Yangtze-River region of China. Their high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) composition was analyzed by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Among all landraces tested, 453 were homogeneous for HMW-GS, 32 were heterogeneous, and 37 contained abnormal subunits. A total of 22 alleles were detected, including 3 at Glu-A1, 13 at Glu-B1 and 6 at Glu-D1, respectively. Higher variations occurred at the Glu-B1 locus compared with Glu-A1 and Glu-D1. Glu-A1c (74.0%), Glu-B1b (40.4%), Glu-D1a (84.9%) appeared to be the most frequent alleles at Glu-A1, Glu-B1 and Glu-D1, respectively. Two alleles ("null" and 1) at the Glu-A1 locus, three allele compositions (7 + 8, 7OE + 8, 7 + 9) at the Glu-B1 locus, and two (2 + 12 and 5 + 10) at the Glu-D1 locus appeared to be the common types in the 485 landraces. Sixteen new alleles represented by abnormal subunits were identified at the Glu-B1 and the Glu-D1 locus.     

Effect of flour type and dough rheological properties on cookie spread measured dynamically during baking

In order to monitor changes that occurred in cookie diameter during baking, a method of calculating cookie diameter was developed using Image Tools software. Cookie images were taken at 30-s intervals during baking using a digital camera. Six biscuit flour types were used in the trial. After the first minutes of baking, a rapid period of expansion started which was significantly different for flour types and finally, after approximately 6th min to the end of baking, cookies showed a slight shrinkage in diameter. A high and significant correlation was found between cookie spread rate and cookie final diameter (r = +0.73, P < 0.001). The technique of lubricated uniaxial compression showed all doughs made from different biscuit flour indicated pseudo-plastic rheological behaviour. However, the measured extensional properties did not correlate with the cookie final diameter.     

A comparative study of physicochemical tests for quality prediction of Argentine wheat flours used as corrector flours and for cookie production

Several physicochemical tests are employed in quality evaluation of wheat. Most of the exported Argentinean wheat flour is used as corrector flour in breadmaking. A small percentage is actually used in cookie production. No study has determined which predictive tests are most suitable for the quality prediction of bread (using flour as corrector) and cookies made from Argentinean wheat. The objectives of this study were to compare the suitability of predictive tests in the assessment of wheat flour attributes in the production of bread and cookies and to establish the relationship between the tests and flour components. Several expected associations were found between the SRC test and the composition parameters. Moreover, various flour components influencing the SDS sedimentation index (SDS-SI), the Zeleny index and the alkaline water retention capacity (AWRC) were established. The cookie factor (CF) was negatively correlated with sucrose, carbonate and water SRC and with AWRC. In addition, the bread loaf specific volume (LV) was correlated with the SDS-SI, the Zeleny index and the lactic acid SRC. In conclusion, several components of Argentine wheat affecting predictive tests were found. The SRC test allowed straight assessment of the bread and cookie quality of Argentinean wheat.     

Effect of immature wheat flour on nutritional and technological quality of sourdough bread

In this study, the effect of immature wheat flour (IWF) on the fermentation activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and on the nutritional quality properties of bread were evaluated. IWF was added in the as the ratio of 10g/100g in sourdough fermentation medium, and the fermentation activity (total LAB, pH, titration acidity (TA), and total reducing sugar (TRS)) of LAB cultures was monitored. Additionally, some physical quality characteristics (specific volume, texture profile and colour value), estimated glycaemic index (eGI), rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), and the total dietary fibre content of sourdough bread were determined. According to the statistical test, it was revealed that the IWF addition stimulated LAB growth and increased their fermentation activity. The pH of the fermentation medium decreased from 6.57 to 3.50, and TA raised from 0.13% to 1.2% in 48 h. The highest TRS content was determined in IWF enriched sourdough samples, and as a result of this, the eGI of sourdough bread increased. Compared to the control sample, the SDS and total dietary fibre content were higher in IWF added sourdough bread, and a positive correlation was noted between these two components. IWF utilisation of sourdough bread formulation increased the hardness value by nearly 50%.     

Gliadin and zein show similar and improved rheological behavior when mixed with high molecular weight glutenin

Small amplitude and lubricated squeezing flow tests were performed to investigate the effect of high molecular weight glutenin (HMWG) on the rheological properties of gliadin and zein dough composites. It was hypothesized that addition of small amounts of HMWG to zein cause changes in its viscoelastic properties in the same way as its addition to gliadin. Starch (87%, w/w) and protein/protein composites (13%, w/w), and water were mixed into dough. The water content of prepared dough was in the 41.7–45.3% range. Composites were gliadin-HMWG and zein-HMWG. Phase angle and complex modulus (G*) were obtained from frequency sweep tests at 0.5% strain amplitude over a 0.01–100 rad/s frequencies. Lubricated squeezing flow test were carried out at a range of strain rates to determine the sample extensional viscosities.     

Influence of high and low molecular weight glutenins on stress relaxation of wheat kernels and the relation to sedimentation and rheological properties

The stress relaxation behaviour of 36 bread wheat kernel lines was studied using the generalized Maxwell model with 4-exponential terms. The data suggested four relaxation phases, two fast phases at shorter times of 1–10 s (τ₁ and τ₂) and two slow phases with longer times of ≈50–450 s (τ₃ and τ₄). The stresses were mainly correlated with kernel mechanical properties. There were differences in spring and stress elements of Glu-A1 null compared to Glu-A1 1 and 2∗. The Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 showed differences in the stresses. Glu-A3 only affected kernel mechanical properties while Glu-B3 showed differences in both quality parameters and mechanical properties. The relaxation times τ₃ were high for genotypes with high SDS-sedimentation volume and long mixing time. Genotypes with 45–60 s of τ₃ usually had good HMW-GS background and LMW allelic combination generally associated with good quality. As expected, genotypes with short relaxation and mixing times and poor sedimentation volume were samples with Glu-A1 null, Glu-B3 j 1B/1R, and with Glu-A3 e (null). Differences in stress relaxation were found among HMW-GS and LMW-GS alleles specially Glu-3 loci and the differences were related to SDS-sedimentation, mixing and alveograph data.     

A reliable assay for the detection of soft wheat adulteration in Italian pasta is based on the use of new DNA molecular markers capable of discriminating between Triticum aestivum and Triticum durum

Italian pasta must be prepared using exclusively durum wheat. According to current Italian rules, only a maximum of 3% Triticum aestivum is allowed to account for cross-contamination that may occur during the agricultural process. Efficient methods for the detection of accidental or intentional contamination of common wheat to durum wheat products are therefore required. This article describes a novel approach for the detection and quantification of soft wheat adulteration in whole grain durum flours and dried pasta. The assay relies on the presence of intron-specific DNA length polymorphisms in the plant β-tubulin gene family, which can be highlighted through the PCR-based TBP (Tubulin-Based Polymorphism) method. In wheat, the TBP method produces species-specific amplification products, which can be either directly used as new DNA molecular markers capable of discriminating between T. aestivum and Triticum durum or analyzed at the sequence level for the design of species-specific probes. The latter approach allowed the development of new sequence-specific targets that can be exploited in RT-PCR assays for a rapid and accurate quantification of soft wheat adulteration in durum wheat pasta.     

Grain quality traits of commercial durum wheat varieties and their relationships with drought stress and glutenins composition

Durum wheat is an important crop widely distributed which grain is used in the elaboration of diverse food products. Most notably, durum wheat is used for the production of high quality pasta all around the world, but also for bread, couscous or bulgur, among other products. The end-use quality of these products is heavily determined by the grain quality characteristics, which depend on the wheat variety cultivated, the environmental effects and GxE interactions. The present study was conducted using a collection of 46 commercial durum wheat varieties to describe the phenotypic variation of the main target traits determining wheat quality, ascertain the effects of drought stress (very common in durum areas) on grain quality traits, and to assess the relationship between allelic variations of glutenins composition and gluten properties. Overall the varieties from Australia, USA and Italy showed the best performance in terms of grain quality. Additionally, the effects of drought stress on grain quality traits were analyzed: some traits were favored due to a higher protein concentration but others, such as flour yellowness were not affected by drought stress. The analysis of the varieties' glutenins composition showed the positive or negative effect of some alleles on different quality traits.     

Breadmaking stability of wheat flours: Relation between mixing properties and molecular weight distribution of polymeric glutenins

It is proposed that a single gene, Lvl 1, can explain variation in Chorleywood Bread Process loaf volume, crumb colour and score in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 3A about 30–40 cM from the centromere. It is possible that the Lvl 1 gene also determines gel-protein weight, although this could be the effect of a closely associated gene. A quantitative trait locus, which is likely to be a single gene controlling Hagberg Falling Number, was also located close to the centromere. Finally, the location of a gene (or genes) affecting gel-protein G′ (elastic modulus) could not be established but it may be located distally on the long arm, but proximal to the marker Xgwm 480.     

The impact of emmer genetic diversity on grain protein content and test weight of hexaploid wheat under high temperature stress

High temperature has a negative impact on wheat grain quality and reduces market value. Emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccon Schrank), one of the earliest domesticated wheat species, is a source of genetic diversity for the improvement of heat and drought tolerance in modern wheat. However, the potential of emmer wheat for the improvement of grain physical quality under high temperature stress is little studied. A diverse set of 184 emmer-based hexaploid lines was developed by crossing emmer wheat with hexaploid wheat and backcrossing once to hexaploid wheat. These materials, seven hexaploid recurrent parents and seven commercial cultivars, were evaluated at two times of sowing (E1 and E2) in the field, in 2015–2016. The materials were genotyped using a 90 K SNP platform and these data were used to estimate the contribution of emmer wheat to the progeny. Significant phenotypic and genetic variation for grain physical quality traits including protein content and test weight was observed. High temperature significantly increased protein content and decreased test weight. Large scale field phenotyping identified emmer progenies with improved grain characteristic compared to their respective parents and commercial cultivars in both environments. A few families consistently produced higher trait means across environments compared to their recurrent parents. The emmer wheat parent contributed between 1 and 37% of the genome in emmer-based genotypes. Selected emmer derived lines with superior protein content and test weight, tended to have a greater genetic contribution from the emmer parent, ranging from 12 to 37% and 7–37% in E1 and E2, respectively. It was concluded that new genetic variation for seed traits, such as protein content and test weight, can be introduced to hexaploid wheat from emmer wheat. The newly developed emmer derivatives identified with enhanced grain quality under high temperature stress can potentially be used to improve grain quality through breeding.     

Study of the impact of wheat flour type,flour particle size and protein content in a cake-like dough: Proton mobility and rheological properties assessment

The study of food products is always a challenge due to the number of components involved and the interactions that may occur between them. Water is a particular ingredient which interacts with all hydrophilic compounds, although affinities may differ for limiting water amount. During this study, results obtained using ¹H NMR on cake dough were compared in terms of the effects of flour type (soft or medium hard), the addition of gluten (5%–20%) and the use of soft flour fractions (flour particle fractions smaller or larger than 50 μm). T₂ values and the signal intensities of different proton populations were studied as a function of the wheat protein contents of dough samples. Physicochemical characterization methods were used to better understand how the origin and particle size of flour might impact the hydration properties and mobility of a model system. Increasing the protein content in dough samples was related to an increase of the mobility of fat protons and of the least mobile proton population (relaxation times ranging from 175 to 180 ms and from 5 to 7 ms, respectively).     

Association analysis reveals effects of wheat glutenin alleles and rye translocations on dough-mixing properties

The glutenin loci of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are important determinants of bread-making quality, although the effects of alleles at those loci are incompletely understood. We applied an association analysis method to assess the effects of glutenin alleles and 1RS wheat–rye (Secale cereale L.) translocations on dough-mixing properties in 96 wheat cultivars and advanced lines grown at three Colorado locations while accounting for population structure and relatedness of individuals in the population. The results indicated that (1) in the majority of cases, controlling relatedness of individuals reduced the significance of associations between glutenin loci and Mixograph traits; (2) the Glu-D1 and Glu-B3 loci and 1RS translocations had greater impacts on dough-mixing properties compared to other glutenin loci; (3) Glu-B1w, Glu-D1d, and Glu-B3b were consistently associated with greater (more favorable) Mixograph peak time (MPT) than other alleles at the respective loci, whereas Glu-B1e, Glu-D1a, and Glu-B3c were associated with reduced MPT; (4) the 1BL.1RS translocation was associated with a decrease in Mixograph properties. Our results indicate that taking multiple-level relatedness of individuals into account can improve the results of association analysis for wheat-quality traits.     

Effect of heating temperature on the particle size distribution in waxy wheat flour

The particle size of waxy (amylose-reduced) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) starch was determined at isothermal temperatures by laser diffraction analysis. Flour samples were suspended in deionized water at temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 °C for 20–60 min. At 30 °C, all of the flour particles exhibited trimodal size distributions, i.e., the particles in the first, second, and third modes were <10 μm, 10–50 μm, and 51–300 μm, respectively. Control experiments with isolated starch indicated that the first and second modes were associated mainly with starch granules, whereas the third mode may have been related to gluten and gluten adhesion. The particle size distributions of waxy segregant wheat flours were temperature dependent. At 60 °C, there were significant changes in the particle size and distribution of waxy flours, which indicated the swelling of starch granules in response to elevated temperature. As the temperature increased, the peak particle size of waxy segregant wheat flours increased in different ways. The results suggest that variations in the swelling properties of selected waxy genotype flours may be due to the strength of starch–protein interaction and the capacity for starch granule gelatinization.     

Variation in kernel characteristics and protein molecular weight distribution of Langdon durum-wild emmer wheat chromosome substitution lines

Triticum turgidum L. var. dicoccoides (DIC) provides a useful source of genes to improve agronomic and quality characteristics of durum wheat. Research was performed to identify DIC chromosomes that carry useful genes for quality improvement. Langdon-T. dicoccoides substitution lines consisting of 13 lines based on DIC accession PI 481521, 10 lines on PI 478742, and 2 lines on Israel A were evaluated for kernel characteristics and protein molecular weight distribution. DIC chromosomes 3A from PI 481521, and 1A and 7A from PI 478742 increased kernel hardness. Chromosome 2A from PI 481521 increased kernel weight, which resulted in increased semolina yield. Some substituted DIC chromosomes also affected grain protein concentration and protein molecular weight distribution. For example, chromosomes 2A, 5B, and 7B from PI 481521, and 6B from Israel A increased total protein concentration, which was primarily attributed to an increase of SDS soluble gliadins. Chromosome 6B from PI 478742 was unique in that it led to an increase in SDS insoluble high molecular weight polymeric proteins, which contributed to increased dough mixing strength. Results from this research indicated that chromosome 6B from PI 478742 is a potential gene source to improve dough characteristics of durum wheat by increasing insoluble high molecular weight polymeric protein concentration.     

Multiple heat and drought events affect grain yield and accumulations of high molecular weight glutenin subunits and glutenin macropolymers in wheat

Spring wheat plants were subjected to water deficit and/or high temperature episodes at spikelet initiation, anthesis or both stages. The stresses modified the early dough stage and maturity, shortened the kernel desiccation period and caused grain yield loss. Plants subjected to stress at the early growth stages had higher grain yields than the non-early-stressed plants when stress reoccurred at anthesis. Concentrations of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in grain were up-regulated by the single early drought, the early drought combined with late heat and the double drought stress treatments, but was down-regulated by the early heat and double heat stress events. Concentration of glutenin macropolymers was increased by the single early drought episode, the single late drought and heat events, as well as the early drought combined with the late heat stress, but was reduced by the early heat stress and double heat events.