Mineral content and protein quality in ancient wheat grain (Triticum sphaerococcum and T. persicum ) from organic farming

Title : Mineral content and protein quality in ancient wheat grain (Triticum sphaerococcum and T. persicum ) from organic farming

Abstract:

The need for a balanced supply of food with a high nutritional value is the biggest stimulus that leads to increased interest in the primary forms of wheat. The cultivation of primary wheat forms (emmer wheat, einkorn wheat, spelt wheat), gives a chance to obtain consumption grain with a higher content of biologically active components than in common wheat. However, the quality characteristics of other ancient wheat species are not recognized. The aim of this study was to analyze the content and quality of protein and minerals in the grain of little-known ancient wheat species – Indian dwarf wheat (Triticum sphaerococcum (Perc.) and Persian wheat (Triticum persicum Vav. (=T. carthlicum Nevski). The study was carried out under the project entitled ‘Innovation in cultivation, processing and marketing of primary forms of wheat – Indian dwarf wheat and Persian wheat with increased nutritional value’ implemented by the ‘Ancient Grain’ operational group. This project is co-financed from EU funds, in the main funding source Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups. Primary wheat grain collected for qualitative assessment came from strict field experiments established in 2019, at three organic farms located in different regions of Poland. Studies have shown that Persian wheat and Indian dwarf wheat grain was characterized by a higher content of minerals such as P, Cu, Zn and Fe than in common wheat. The studied ancient wheat species were also distinguished by an increased (by 9-17%) content of total protein in grain and flour. Moreover, the protein had a higher biological value. An increased concentration of essential amino acids, such as isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and arginine, has been found. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that ancient wheat species such as Indian Dwarf wheat and Persian wheat obtained from organic farming can be a valuable raw material for the production of food with increased nutritional value.

Biography:

(PhD, Eng.) is employed in the position of Assoc. Prof. at the Department of Agronomy at her home university. She focuses mainly on the development and implementation of innovations, scientific research, popularization and dissemination of knowledge as well as academic education in the field of agricultural sciences. Prof. Małgorzata Szczepanek has worked in the following research areas: field crops, vegetables, sustainable agriculture, cropping system, seed production, biostimulants, nutrient management, crop quality, crop storage. She is the author of more than 100 research articles published in international journals and conference proceedings. He has also delivered speeches at various international conferences. She is a breeder of three wheat cultivars and a co-creator of patents. Currently, she is the manager of the “Ancient Grain” project, which aims to restore the use of primary wheat forms with increased nutritional value. The project won the first place in the competition for innovative projects, co-financed from EU funds, with the main funding source Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups. She has been the vice-president and/or the member of scientific and organizational committees of national and international conferences (Singapore, South Korea, Turkey). She is also a member of the editorial committee of the journal Agronomy Basel (Q1, IF 2.56).