Effect of spelt wheat flour and kernel on bread composition and nutritional characteristics

Spelt wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum subsp. spelta cv. Ostro) were used to obtain white spelt flour (64.5% yield), wholemeal spelt flour (100% yield), and scalded spelt wheat kernels. From these materials, white spelt wheat bread (WSB), wholemeal spelt wheat bread (WMSB), and spelt wheat bread with scalded spelt wheat kernels (SSKB) were made and were compared to the reference white wheat bread (WWB). The spelt wheat flours and breads contained more proteins in comparison to wheat flour and bread. Among the samples the highest rate of starch hydrolysis was noticed in WSB. During the first 30 min of incubation this particular bread was shown to have significantly more (P < 0.05) rapidly digestible starch than the WMSB and later on also more starch than in WWB and SSKB, respectively. The WMSB had the lowest hydrolysis index (HI = 95.7). However, the result did not differ significantly from that in the reference common wheat bread. On the other hand, the most refined spelt wheat flour resulted in a bread product (WSB) that was statistically withdrawn (P < 0.05) as one with the highest HI (112.6).     

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) as a source of dietary rutin and quercitrin

Two samples of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) from China and one from Luxembourg were studied by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to reveal the possibilities of growing tartary buckwheat herb as a possible source of rutin, quercetin, and quercitrin. The content of rutin was determined as up to 3% dry weight (DW) in tartary buckwheat herb. Quercitrin values were in the range of 0.01-0.05% DW. Only traces of quercetin were detected in just some of the samples. Tartary buckwheat seeds contained more rutin (about 0.8-1.7% DW) than common buckwheat seeds (0.01% DW). Rutin and quercetin content in seeds depends on variety and growing conditions. Tartary buckwheat seeds contained traces of quercitrin and quercetin, which were not found in common buckwheat seeds.     

Chemical composition and protein quality of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

The chemical composition and protein quality of two varieties of buckwheat were measured and compared with the values of wheat. The protein quality was based on amino acid composition and true protein digestibility, biological value, net protein utilization, and utilizable protein obtained in N-balance experiments with rats. The protein content in buckwheat was approximately 12% and thus very much the same as in wheat. The fat content in buckwheat was close to 3% whereas the crude fiber concentration was very high (12.7 and 17.8%, respectively, for two varieties). The high fiber content caused a low concentration of soluble carbohydrates with the lowest value of 48.7%. Both buckwheat varieties had a high tannin content (1.76 and 1.54%, respectively). The protein quality was very high, with biological values above 90%. This can be explained by a high concentration of most essential amino acids, especially lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and the sulphur-containing amino acids. However, due to the high contents of crude fiber and tannin, the true protein digestibility was slightly below 80%.     

Selenium species in selenium-enriched and drought-exposed potatoes

The aim of this work was to study selenium (Se) speciation in the potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar Desiree, enriched in Se by foliar spraying with a water solution containing 10 mg of Se/L in the form of sodium selenate. Four combinations of treatments were used: well-watered plants with and without Se foliar spraying and drought-exposed plants with and without Se foliar spraying. Water-soluble Se compounds were extracted from potato tubers by water or enzymatic hydrolysis with the enzyme protease XIV, amylase, or a combination of protease XIV and amylase. Extraction was performed using incubation at a constant temperature and stirring (37 degrees C at 200 rpm) or by ultrasound-assisted extraction (300 W), using different extraction times. Separation of soluble Se species (SeCys2, SeMet, SeMeSeCys, selenite, and selenate) was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography, and detection was performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that the concentration of selenate extracted was independent of the enzymatic extraction technique (approximately 98 ng/g for drought-exposed and 308 ng/g for well-watered potato tubers), whereas the extraction yield of SeMet changed with the protocol used (10-36%). Selenate and SeMet were the main soluble Se species (representing 51-68% of total Se) in potato tubers, regardless of the growth conditions.     

Effect of selenium foliar application on chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Leaves of young chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) plants were sprayed with selenate (1 mg SeVI/L) to establish the distribution of added selenium (Se) in the heads. Its concentration was analyzed in the outer, intermediate, and innermost leaves of chicory heads. The concentration of Se was about double (43-46 ng Se g-1 DM) that in the control (21-24 ng Se g-1 DM), indicating that the applied Se was transported from the sprayed leaves to the heads. In cv. Monivip, Se concentration was even throughout the head, but in cv. Anivip, the innermost leaves had a lower concentration of Se. No visual symptoms of Se toxicity appeared on the plants, and the quantum yield of photosystem II showed no indication that Se spraying could be harmful for energy conversion. Se increased the respiratory potential in young plants but not in plants at harvest time.     

Nutrient Content in Buckwheat Milling Fractions

Buckwheat seeds (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) were milled into 23 fractions: seven fine flours, three coarse flours, four small semolina, two big semolina, six bran, and one husk fraction. A considerable variation in gross chemical composition was found among the milling fractions. The protein content varied from 4.4 to 11.9% (db) in flours and from 19.2 to 31.3% in bran fractions; starch varied from 91.7 to 70.4% in flours and from 42.6 to 20.3 in bran. The percentage of soluble dietary fiber contained in total dietary fiber was higher in flours than in semolina and bran fractions. Ash, Fe, P, tannin, phytate content, and color were also investigated. A unique distribution of phytate was found in starch. Correlation is significantly positive in husk, bran, and semolina fractions, while correlation is significantly negative in flour fractions. Depending on technological or nutritional demands, appropriate fractions may be chosen to achieve the desired end‐use product.