Discovery of lunasin peptide in triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack)

Lunasin is a novel, cancer-preventive, anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-reducing peptide that was originally isolated from soy and later from barley, wheat and rye. We report the first discovery of lunasin in triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack). Moreover, we report first data of lunasin content in winter rye and wheat genotypes grown in Northern Europe. These data are novel as previously published data on finding of lunasin in cereals were obtained in genotypes grown in Korea. Lunasin content was uncovered using a previously published procedure for isolation from cereals and identified by LC-MS/MS assay. We found that triticale was the most lunasin-rich cereal, with the tested genotypes displaying the following trend in lunasin content: genotype 0002-26 > Dinaro > DSGU 10/94 > 0213-22 > 0317-14 > 0006-31. The greatest lunasin content was 6.46 mg/g in the grain of triticale genotype 0002-26. In comparison, the highest lunasin content in rye variety Dankovske Diament was 1.5 mg/g, and the highest lunasin content in the winter wheat variety Fredis was 0.23 mg/g. We conclude that triticale can play a significant role as functional food, with great potential for the use of triticale products in human and animal diets.     

Detection of the lunasin peptide in oats (Avena sativa L)

We report the first discovery of lunasin in oats (Avena sativa L). Lunasin is a novel cancer preventive, anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-reducing peptide originally isolated from soy and later found in cereals (barley, rye, wheat, triticale). Lunasin was detected in oats using LC–MS/MS analysis. The chromatograms and mass spectra of lunasin isolated from five oat genotypes were compared with those of the synthetic lunasin peptide. We measured the lunasin content in harvests of two years and found that all tested oat genotypes contained the lunasin peptide. However, we observed genotype-related fluctuations in the lunasin content. Notably, the middle early oat variety ‘Ivory’ contained the highest and the most stable lunasin level at 0.197 ± 0.01 mg per g of grain in year 2010 and 0.195 ± 0.009 mg per g of grain in 2011. We also characterized the selected oat genotypes by measuring the contents of protein, β-glucans, fat, starch and moisture in the grains. However, we did not find correlation between lunasin and protein, and β-glucan content. Lunasin isolated from oat showed similar to the synthetic lunasin antioxidant effects. The detection of lunasin complements a list of bioactive compounds present in oats and strengthens recommendations to use oat products.