Comprehensive Analysis on Grain and Processing Quality of Several Wheat Varieties in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River

【Objective】 The present study was conducted to analyze the quality differences of tested wheat varieties in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River, including Jiangsu, Anhui and Hubei Provinces. The important factors influencing the noodle quality was assessed in providing theoretical basis for the wheat quality evaluation, variety selection with high-quality, and regional distribution of wheat quality. 【Method】 Based on the variance analysis of quality properties, principal component analysis was carried out in 25 quality traits of 13 wheat varieties planted in 6 pilot sites from 3 provinces, so as to evaluate and screen the important quality properties in this area. Then, partial least square analysis was used to distinguish the quality variation among provinces. Finally, the factors affecting the quality of noodle were analyzed by path analysis. 【Result】 Principal component analysis classified all quality traits into starch gelatinization index, flour water absorption index, flour quality index, protein index, flour color index, glutenin index and starch breakdown index and their cumulative contribution value reached 81.250% covering the vast majority of quality indexes. In the middle and lower reaches wheat areas of the Yangtze River, starch gelatinization index was the leading factor in quality evaluation, followed by flour water absorption index and flour quality index. The results of orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) showed that the specific quality differences among the three provinces in this region were manifested in the gelatinization characteristics of starch, such as final viscosity and setback. From the results of path analysis, sodium carbonate solvent retention capacity could be seen as the largest directly positive effect on the sensory evaluation of noodles, while the disintegrating value of starch gelatinization and gluten performance index had relatively great negative effect on noodle quality. 【Conclusion】 Wheat quality in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River is a complex integrative character, and there are significant differences in quality traits among different cultivars and planting areas. Starch gelatinization index and other quality traits are all easily affected by the environment. The great quality variation among the three provinces is setback and final viscosity of starch. With the increase of Trough, final viscosity and setback in starch, the quality of noodle enhance. Damaged starch content is the main factor that affects the quality of noodles based on the sensory evaluation. The wheat flour with high damaged starch content could be used to produce the high-quality noodle.