Phytochemical profile of a bread wheat family segregating for purple, red, and white kernel color
Abstract
Anthocyanins are plant compounds that cause the red and purple pigmentation in blueberries and raspberries. They can function as antioxidants which have been shown to have health benefits by protecting human cells from attack by free radicals and reducing inflammation. Hard Red Winter (HRW) and Hard White (HW) are the only market classes of wheat produced in Oklahoma differing in bran color; neither contain a significant amount of anthocyanins. This study is the focal point of a long-term germplasm introgression and development project with the goal of producing market-ready germplasm with enhanced nutritional value. Purple wheat might provide health benefits and generate additional value for the health foods marketplace. The genetic material in this study included 29 full sib experimental lines and their three parents. Grain was produced in three locations: Yuma, Arizona (2020), Stillwater (2021), and Lahoma, Oklahoma (2021). Wheat was milled into a whole-meal flour and extracted with acidified methanol for assays. Anthocyanin concentration, total phenolic content, and two radical scavenging assays were used. Compared to white phenotypes, purple genotypes had significantly higher anthocyanin concentrations (142 to 298%) in each environment and higher total phenolics (103.85 and 105%) in the 2021 environments. Additionally, delayed harvest appeared to be associated with decreased anthocyanin and phenolic concentrations in purple wheat, which could point to the importance of timely harvest to preserve pigments and nutritional functionality. Evaluation is ongoing with the expectation that one of the purple lines will be suitable for commercial production in the southern Plains states.
Citation
Eastham, G., Lucas, E., & Carver, B. F. (2022, April 19). Phytochemical profile of a bread wheat family segregating for purple, red, and white kernel color. Poster session presented at the Oklahoma State University Undergraduate Research Symposium, Stillwater, OK.