Gluten Index Research Articles

Allelic Variation of Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 Genes in Winter Durum Wheat and Its Effect on Quality Parameters

Winter durum wheat is a relatively young crop that is highly adaptable due to its winter type of growth habit. The priority of breeding and genetic improvement of winter durum wheat is to improve grain quality and pasta quality, largely determined by the glutenin storage proteins. In the present study, a collection of 76 accessions of winter durum wheat from P.P. Lukyanenko National Grain Centre was studied. The allelic state of high-molecular-weight glutenin genes, Glu-A1 and Glu-B1, using PCR markers and SDS-PAGE was identified and grain and pasta quality traits were assessed in a two-year field experiment. The positive effect of the Glu-A1a allele and a negative effect of Glu-A1c on the gluten index were shown. It was found that Glu-B1al and Glu-B1f have a positive effect on the quality and quantity of protein and gluten, while the Glu-A1c + Glu-B1al genotypes were closest to the high-quality category in protein-associated quality traits.

Composition, Functionality, and Baking Quality of Flour from Four Brands of Wheat Flour

ABSTRACT This study investigated the reasons for variations in baking yield and quality of bread from four major brands of wheat flour using established methods. Flour samples were obtained on the same day from four companies that produce different brands of wheat flour labeled as A, B, C, and D. Flour samples showed significant variations in composition, with protein (10.82–12.75%) and carbohydrates (75.24–77.40%) being the major nutrients. Flours showed differences in their particle size distribution and ability to absorb water (2.10–2.90 mL/g). Dry gluten contents were similar (approx. 10%) but the wet gluten (30.10–33.70%), gluten index (92.75–96.45%), and specific volume (4.04–5.02 cm3/g) varied significantly. The rheological properties of the flours were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) and affected their baking quality but the sensory properties of the bread samples were very similar. Data from this study could be harnessed to help the food industry to improve the quality of the flours.

A combined use of different functional additives for improvement of wheat flour quality for bread making.

Low-protein wheat flour can produce bread with poor texture and appearance, reducing its nutritional value and market appeal. This is a growing concern for both the food industry and consumers relying on wheat as a dietary staple. The present study evaluated the individual and combined effects of bacterial xylanase (BX), maltogenic α-amylase (MG), vital gluten (VG) and ascorbic acid (AA) with respect to improving weak flour properties for bread making. BX, VG and AA improved gluten Index (GI), whereas MG was employed for optimizing amylolytic-activity in flour. VG increased the water absorption (WA) capacity of flour and prolonged dough development time (DDT). The dough stability (DST) was increased by BX and VG. BX and MG decreased crumb firmness (CF) and showed anti-staling effect. All additives reduced bake loss, increased loaf volume (LV) and retained or improved sensory attributes of bread. However, MG at 60 mg kg-1 (MG60), BX at 30 mg kg-1 (BX30), VG at 5% (VG5) and AA at 50 mg kg-1 (AA50) were found to be the most suitable for evaluating in combinations. Ternary combinations of MG60, BX30, VG5 or AA50 imparted significantly (P < 0.05) positive impacts on GI, WA, DDT, DST, CF, LV and sensory attributes compared to control, individual and binary combinations. The PCA suggested that a combination of MG60 + VG5 was more similar to MG60 + BX30 + VG5, whereas, MG60 + BX30 and MG60 + AA50 were more related to MG60 + BX30 + AA50 combination, but all of these combinations showed the improvement in the characteristics compared to control flour. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Wheat Bran Levels and Particle Size on the Rheological Properties of Wheat Flour Dough

This study sheds light on the effects of wheat bran on dough rheological properties, especially gluten index and gassing power. To this end bran with three particle sizes (coarse≥ 300um, medium 300-180um, and fine ≤180um) at three levels (10%, 20%, and 30%) was added to straight-grade flour, which was also used as a control. Proximate analysis, rheological and physical properties of the bran particles and doughs were determined using the approved official methods of Farinograph, Extensograph, Risograph, and gluten index instruments. Farinograph results showed that water absorption capacity (WAC) increased by increasing bran levels, while dough stability decreased by increasing bran particle size. Extensograph results revealed that dough resistance, extensibility, and resistance to extension (R/E) ratio showed a nonlinear behavior between bran levels; and a significant decrease (P≤0.05 ) in resistance value (R50) compared to an increase in the control straight-grade flour (SGF) after 135 minutes of fermentation. Carbon dioxide production using Risograph was significantly (P≤‎ 0.05) higher in the fine bran compared to the other samples after four fermentation times (30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes). There was a significant (P≤0.05) inverse relationship between the gluten index of the dough and the bran particle size.

A study on the estimation of dough sheeting behaviour and textural properties of baklava from commercial flour properties

The objective of this study was to investigate the dough sheeting behaviour and baklava quality from chemical and physicochemical characteristics of commercial baklava flours by using Path Analysis. Ash and protein content, Zeleny and modified Zeleny sedimentation, falling number, wet and dry gluten, gluten index and b* colour value were in the range of 0.56–0.77%, 10.85–14.38%, 22.3–46.8 ml, 21.5–68.0 ml, 425–580 s, 25.2–32.0%, 8.7–11.2%, 67.2–100.0%, 9.9–13.3, respectively. Thickness (T) and surface area (SA) of sheeted doughs after first sheeting (T-1, SA-1) and second sheeting (T-2, SA-2) were in the range of 0.300–0.470 mm, 2.30–5.41 m2, 0.072–0.148 mm, and 22.28–40.47 m2, while hardness, peak counts and linear distance of baklava samples were in the range of 680–1209 g, 43–62 and 2598–4476 (g.s), respectively. According to Path Analysis, negative significant correlation was observed between SA-2 and gluten index (p < 0.05) values of commercial flour samples, while positive significant correlations were determined between peak counts and Zeleny and modified Zeleny sedimentations (p < 0.01), wet and dry gluten values (p < 0.05). Finally, there were significant correlations between SA-1 and Mixolab C4 value (p < 0.01); also, SA-2 and Mixolab C4 value (p < 0.05). In addition; there were significant correlations between peak counts and Mixolab γ value (p < 0.01).

Quality of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as Influenced by Different Nutrient Management Approaches under Northern Transitional Zone of Karnataka

The field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm of AICW&amp;BIP, Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22 and was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 15 treatments replicated thrice to evaluate the performance of wheat quality to various nutrient management approaches. The pooled data onto two years indicated that application of 275:40.33:135.2 kg of N:P2O5:K2O ha-1 for yield target of 55 q ha-1 under SSNM practices significantly increased the protein content (13.43 %), wet gluten (34.7 %), dry gluten (11.9 %), gluten index (81.6 %), sedimentation value (46.3 ml) and yellow pigment (5.93 ppm) in wheat grain and it was found on par with yield targets at 50 and 45 q ha-1 under SSNM.

The effect of laccase enzyme addition to soft Syrian wheat flour or blending with durum flour on the rheological properties of dough

Wheat is one of the most important crops in the world, its products, especially fermented baked goods, take a major role in the diet. These products require strong flour. In Syria, about 20 – 25% of improved durum wheat is blended with soft wheat to increase the strength of the flour. Laccase enzyme, is one of the important oxidative enzymes, which is added to increase the strength of the dough. Several devices have been used to evaluate flour and measure the properties of dough, but none of them is able to predict all the properties in a single test one. A new instrument Mixolab dough characterizer has been developed to measure the dough properties and the pasting behavior of flour at the same time. Hence, in the present research Mixolab dough characterizer was used to assess the effect of the addition of laccase enzyme and blending of durum and soft Syrian wheat on the rheological properties of wheat flour (80% extraction). The results showed that the values of C2 (decrease in dough consistency due to excessive mixing), water absorption, and dough development time increase after the addition of laccase enzyme and blending durum and soft wheat, as well as the dough stability increases too, therefore, it can be concluded that, both the addition of laccase and blending durum and soft wheat increase dough strength, but the addition of laccase treatment has higher values of dough stability and gluten index compared to blend flour. The effect of the two treatments on the properties of the starch differed; the values of C3 (starch gelatinisation), C4 (gel stability), and C5 (starch retrogradation) are increasing with laccase addition, while these values are reducing with the blending of durum and soft wheat.

Quality of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as Influenced by Different Nutrient Management Approaches under Northern Transitional Zone of Karnataka

The field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm of AICW&amp;BIP, Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22 and was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 15 treatments replicated thrice to evaluate the performance of wheat quality to various nutrient management approaches. The pooled data onto two years indicated that application of 275:40.33:135.2 kg of N:P2O5:K2O ha-1 for yield target of 55 q ha-1 under SSNM practices significantly increased the protein content (13.43 %), wet gluten (34.7 %), dry gluten (11.9 %), gluten index (81.6 %), sedimentation value (46.3 ml) and yellow pigment (5.93 ppm) in wheat grain and it was found on par with yield targets at 50 and 45 q ha-1 under SSNM.

Yields and Quality of Spring Wheat Grain in Intercropping System with Different Legume Species

Abstract Intercropping is a technique in which two or more crops are grown together that is reported to be soil and water friendly. Field trials were conducted at three different localities in the Czech Republic. Spring wheat was grown together with different legumes (Egyptian clover, crimson clover, red clover, white clover, common pea, dun pea, common vetch, bird’s-foot-trefoil, common kidney vetch, and fenugreek) in an organic cropping system. Two basic systems were compared mixture and row-by-row cropping. The yield of grain was lower on average in row-by-row cropping than in the mixture. Lower yields were found in Prague (PR) compared to Uhříněves (UH) and Zvíkov (ZV). The mixture system seemed to be more effective in grain production than cultivation in separate rows (PR 2.14 t/ha, UH 4.71 t/ha, ZV 3.00 t/ha) in terms of spring wheat grain yield in comparison with the mixture system (PR 2.45 t/ha, UH 5.44 t/ha, ZV 3.14 t/ha). Quality parameters such as crude protein, wet gluten, gluten index, Zeleny test of wheat grown with legumes were compared to the control. The mean quality parameters of both systems were the following: test weight 75.75%, crude protein 13.9%, wet gluten 31.5%, Zeleny test 56.2 mL, falling number 266.4 s. The combinations of spring wheat with Egyptian clover, white clover, common vetch, common kidney vetch, and bird’s-foot-trefoil are recommended as the most promising according to the results obtained across all sites and considering all parameters.

Multigenerational elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration induced changes of wheat grain quality via altering nitrogen reallocation and starch catabolism

Previous studies indicated the grain yield and compositions of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were affected by long-term elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration conditions. However, the roles of protein expression in wheat grain quality changes under multigenerational elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration are still rarely known. This study explored that the changes of grain quality in wheat offspring induced by multigenerational elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration exposure and analyzed the roles of the differently expressed proteins using 4D proteomics in regulating the wheat grain quality. The changes of grain protein accumulation, gluten index and dough development time indicated that the nutritional and end-use quality of wheat grains were directly affected by elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration. This was mainly due to the changed expressions of α-amylase inhibitors, glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, formamidase and β-glucosidase, which regulated the starch accumulation and nitrogen metabolism in grains. This study elucidates the mechanisms underlying the effects of long-term elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration on wheat grain quality.

Effect of Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infestation on the Protein Physicochemical and Structural Properties of Wheat Grain.

Boring pests such as Sitophilus zeamais (S. zeamais) are major threats in grain storage. However, how these pests affect the proteins of stored grains remains largely unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the effect of S. zeamais infestation on wheat protein during postharvest storage. In this study, wheat grain infested by S. zeamais was sampled at egg (4 d), larval (20 d), pupal (35 d), and adult stages (45 d), respectively. The protein's physicochemical and structural properties and the edible quality of whole wheat noodle were analyzed. The results showed that S. zeamais infestation significantly decreased the quality of wheat protein by altering its constitution and structure properties. Especially, compared with the control, the content of wet and dry gluten, gluten index, sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation volume, sulfhydryl groups, and disulfide bonds in insect-infested wheat decreased by 19.40, 5.42, 18.40, 8.12, 29.13, and 14.30%, respectively, during the storage period of one life cycle of S. zeamais. Additionally, the proportions of wheat protein fractions (albumin [1.16-fold], globulin [0.96-fold], gliadin [1.16-fold], and glutenin [0.95-fold]) and secondary structures (α-helix [0.91-fold], β-fold [0.96-fold], β-turn [1.06-fold], and random coil [1.05-fold]) of protein changed significantly, and the gluten network structure was broken in S. zeamais-infested wheat. Furthermore, the color of whole wheat noodle became darker, cooking loss rate increased, and textural properties (hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and resilience) decreased as well. The results in the present study provided new insights for analyzing the quality deterioration mechanism and further quality improvement of boring pests-infested wheat grain.

Geographical detector-based wheat quality attribution under genotype, environment, and crop management frameworks

Elucidating the determining factors for wheat quality is an essential but complex task, influenced by wheat cultivars, environmental conditions, and management decisions. This study analyzed 285 winter wheat varieties, 13 wheat quality traits, and 9 influencing factors under a genotype, environment, and crop management framework by a geographical detector model in China’s main winter wheat-producing area. Our results revealed the attribution of wheat quality in the genotype × environment × crop management (G × E × M) interaction framework. The factors influencing wheat quality in China were ranked as follows: wheat cultivar &amp;gt; precipitation &amp;gt; Tmax &amp;gt; irrigation &amp;gt; soil type &amp;gt; Tmin &amp;gt; fertiliser &amp;gt; sunshine duration &amp;gt; landform. The wheat cultivar was the dominant factor affecting wheat quality, which explained 38.57%, 38.78%, and 28.13% of the variation in gluten index, stabilization time, and sedimentation index, respectively. In addition, the sensitivity of the wheat quality traits to the G × E × M interaction framework was detected. The wheat quality trait sensitivity ranked from the highest to the lowest followed the order gluten index &amp;gt; sedimentation index &amp;gt; hardness index &amp;gt; stabilisation time &amp;gt; seed moisture &amp;gt; crude protein &amp;gt; formation time &amp;gt; wet gluten &amp;gt; water absorption &amp;gt; landing value &amp;gt; flour output ratio &amp;gt; ash &amp;gt; capacity. Gluten and sedimentation were highly sensitive traits for wheat quality under the G × E × M interaction framework, with sensitivity index values of 66.94% and 58.11% in the G × E × M framework, respectively. Furthermore, we proposed an integrated improvement strategy for an end-use wheat quality trait based on the sensitivity of wheat quality traits in the G × E × M framework. The gluten index, crude protein, wet gluten, and hardness index should be prioritized according to wheat’s commercial value and sensitivity index. However, other quality traits with higher commercial importance, such as flour output ratio, capacity, and landing value, should be put behind the improvement list. Our result identified the critical factors for most wheat quality traits in the G × E × M framework. It extended the comprehensive strategy for wheat quality improvement.

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Seed Coating on Grain Protein and Mineral Composition of Old and Modern Bread Wheat Genotypes

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on yield and quality was investigated on a set of seven bread wheat genotypes with varying years of release, including five old genotypes and two modern varieties. A two-year field trial was conducted in central Italy under rainfed conditions. The effect of AM fungal seed coating was proved by assessing the AM fungal root colonization and studied on agronomic and quality traits, and in particular on gluten-forming proteins and grain mineral composition. AMF seed coating led to a general yield improvement in old genotypes (+24%). Concerning the effects on grain quality, while modern genotypes showed an increase in protein content (+16%), in the old ones an improvement of gluten quality was observed, with an increased proportion of HMW-GS from +17% to +92%. The gluten index results were mostly influenced by HMW-GS allelic configuration and amount, showing a significant correlation with gliadin-to-glutenin ratio and HMW-GS to LMW-GS. Concerning mineral uptake, AM fungal treatment determined a general increase in P content, which was more marked in the modern group (+44%). Furthermore, AMF significantly increased mean Fe concentration in Verna (+53%) and Bologna (+45%). Finally, phytate content did not increase with AMF, without affecting mineral bioavailability.

Selected quality parameters of wheat flour and dough for the production of Iraqi flatbread

Characterization of some products and finding a correlation with well-known chemical or rheological properties is an important issue in terms of facilitating trade worldwide. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to characterize and score Iraqi flatbread in addition to discover a correlation between the scored flatbread and the chemical or rheological properties of wheat flour. Multilinear regression was used, and several models were created to predict flatbread scores. The results showed that gluten index was highly correlated to flatbread (R2 = +0.8672, p < .0001) followed by the degree of dough softening (R2 = −0.8406, p < .0001) and resistance to extension (R2 = +0.7293, p < .0006). The highest correlated model to predict Iraqi flatbread was by combining the three mentioned properties (R2 = 0.9303, p < .0001). The confidence 95% of predicting flatbread scores by following the models was high and significant, and the models can be helpful for wheat trading to Iraq. Novelty impact statement Iraqi flatbread is the most common type of bread eaten in Iraq, and wheat imported to Iraq must be suitable for producing this kind of bread. Determining wheat flour quality in terms of the chemical or rheological properties that are understood by all experts in the field facilitates wheat trading to Iraq. The current study found that gluten index and degree of dough softening were the main chemical and rheological properties that described the quality of wheat flour that is suitable for producing Iraqi flatbread.

Simultaneously genetic selection of wheat yield and grain protein quality in rice-wheat and soybean-wheat cropping systems through critical nitrogen efficiency-related traits.

Analyzing the contribution of nitrogen (N) uptake and its utilization in grain yield and protein quality-related traits in rice-wheat (RW) and soybean-wheat (SW) cropping systems is essential for simultaneous improvements in the two target traits. A field experiment with nine wheat genotypes was conducted in 2018–19 and 2019–20 cropping years to investigate N uptake and utilization-related traits associated with high wheat yield and good protein quality. Results showed that N uptake efficiency (NUpE) in the RW cropping system and N utilization efficiency (NUtE) in the SW cropping system explained 77.6 and 65.2% of yield variation, respectively, due to the contribution of fertile spikes and grain number per spike to grain yield varied depending on soil water and N availability in the two rotation systems. Lower grain protein content in the RW cropping system in comparison to the SW cropping system was mainly related to lower individual N accumulation at maturity, resulting from higher fertile spikes, rather than N harvest index (NHI). However, NHI in the SW cropping system accounted for greater variation in grain protein content. Both gluten index and post-anthesis N uptake were mainly affected by genotype, and low gluten index caused by high post-anthesis N uptake may be related to the simultaneous increase in kernel weight. N remobilization process associated with gluten quality was driven by increased sink N demand resulting from high grain number per unit area in the RW cropping system; confinement of low sink N demand and source capability resulted in low grain number per spike and water deficit limiting photosynthesis of flag leaf in the SW cropping system. CY-25 obtained high yield and wet gluten content at the expense of gluten index in the two wheat cropping systems, due to low plant height and high post-anthesis N uptake and kernel weight. From these results, we concluded that plant height, kernel weight, and post-anthesis N uptake were the critically agronomic and NUE-related traits for simultaneous selection of grain yield and protein quality. Our research results provided useful guidelines for improving both grain yield and protein quality by identifying desirable N-efficient genotypes in the two rotation systems.

Production and Evaluation of the Physicochemical, Functional and Sensory Properties of alkubus (steam bread) Produced from the Blends of Two Local Wheat Varieties (Atilla gan Atilla and Seri-M82) and Cowpea Flour Supplements

The quality of the two local wheat varieties (atilla gan atilla, seri-m82) and cowpea composite based alkubus (steam bread) were evaluated. Formulations of 100%, 95%, 90% and 85% were substituted with 5%, 10% and 15% levels of cowpea that yielded 8 experimental groups with 100% control sample of alkubus. Commercial wheat flour sample were employed for alkubus production. The proximate composition, bulk density, water absorption capacity, swelling power, solubility, gluten index, microbial count and acceptability of the alkubus were determined using standard methods of analysis. Bulk density ranged from 0.50 to 0.78 g/cm3 and 0.69 to 0.76 g/cm3 , Water absorption from 56.80 to 59.20% and 50.78 to 69.56% increased with addition of cowpea flour. Swelling power decreased with increase in the solubility of the flour. Alkubus supplemented with cowpea had an increased in protein (10.77 to 13.22%, 9.05 to 10.45%), crude fats (4.21 to 4.61%, 4.09 to 4.51%), ash (2.03 to 2.11%, 1.79 to 2.33%), crude fibre (1.01 to 1.51%, 0.92 to 1.24%) and energy (232 to 256kcal, 236 to 258kcal) which increased with the level of substitution. While moisture decreased with the level of substitutions respectively. Level of acceptability showed that all the alkubus products were acceptable in terms of colour, aroma, taste, flavor and texture when compared with the control at 100%. Alkubus produced from the blends of two local wheat cultivars and cowpea increased the protein content that can satisfy the dietary requirement of human.

Comparative Assessment of Agro-Morphological and Quality Traits of Ancient Wheat Cultivars Grown under Organic Farming

The re-introduction of ancient wheat species into agricultural systems requires a multidisciplinary research approach. Morphological and yield-forming traits are often used as the basis for evaluating and improving crop productivity, but an understanding of the association of these traits with grain quality properties is also essential. The present study was established to understand the performance of old and new cultivars and breeding lines of hulled wheat species by analyzing the selected agro-morphological and quality traits to determine the variability and correlations among them. The results indicated that the stem length of the emmer and the spelt was comparable (100–101 cm), but the impact of the growing year on the variance of this trait was the highest (93%), with different responses of cultivars. The maximum value of grain weight per spike (1.70 g), the highest thousand grain weight (56.3 g) and the highest share of large-sized grains (57.7%) were found in the emmer, indicating the potential for increased grain yield. The lowest protein quantity was reported for the emmer (11.2%), for which wet gluten (WG) quantity was also found to be the lowest (6.0%). Protein quantity correlated with stem length for the spelt, while for the emmer, with spike length. In spite of the higher gluten index of the emmer (60.4%) compared to the spelt (33.5%), the very low Zeleny index of the emmer (10.2 mL) together with low WG may have a negative impact on the baking quality of the emmer. Even in non-fertilized soil, the emmer is at risk of lodging despite its height and favorable agro-morphological traits.

Grain and flour quality of wheat genotypes grown under heat stress

Heat stress during the grain-filling period is the main abiotic stress factor limiting grain yield and quality in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, 64 wheat genotypes were exposed to heat stress during reproduction caused by delayed sowing in two growing seasons. Grain yield, 1000 grain weight (GW), grain hardness (GH), and grain-quality related traits were investigated. Heat stress caused a significant decrease in GW through reducing starch content (SC) and a non-compensating rise in protein content (PC), and thereby resulted in lower yield. In addition, significant increases in flour water absorption (WA), Zeleny sedimentation volume (ZT), ash content (AC), lipid content (LC), loaf volume (LV), wet gluten content (WG), dry gluten content (DG), gluten index (GI), and amylopectin content (APC) were found following heat stress. In contrast, decreases in grain moisture content (MC) and amylose content (AMC) induced by heat stress were observed. The heat-tolerant genotypes were superior in grain yield, GW, SC, AMC, and MC. While the sensitive genotypes contained higher PC, LV, GI and AMP. A group of wheat genotypes characterized with a higher yield, AMC, GW, and SC as well as lower PC, WA, GH, ZT, and LV; and was found to be the most heat tolerant by principal component analysis. Lighter weight and smaller grains produce a smaller starchy endosperm with lower quality (less amylose) and higher grain protein content in heat stress compared to normal conditions. Heat stress caused by delayed sowing improves some of the baking-quality related traits.

Effect of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit Dy10 on wheat dough properties and end-use quality

High-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) are the most critical grain storage proteins that determine the unique processing qualities of wheat. Although it is a part of the superior HMW-GS pair (Dx5+Dy10), the contribution of the Dy10 subunit to wheat processing quality remains unclear. In this study, we elucidated the effect of Dy10 on wheat processing quality by generating and analyzing a deletion mutant (with the Dy10-null allele), and by elucidating the changes to wheat flour following the incorporation of purified Dy10. The Dy10-null allele was transcribed normally, but the Dy10 subunit was lacking. These findings implied that the Dy10-null allele reduced the glutenin:gliadin ratio and negatively affected dough strength (i.e., Zeleny sedimentation value, gluten index, and dough development and stability times) and the bread-making quality; however, it positively affected the biscuit-making quality. The incorporation of various amounts of purified Dy10 into wheat flour had a detrimental effect on biscuit-making quality. The results of this study demonstrate that the Dy10 subunit is essential for maintaining wheat dough strength. Furthermore, the Dy10-null allele may be exploited by soft wheat breeding programs.

A Comparative Assessment of Agronomic and Baking Qualities of Modern/Old Varieties and Landraces of Wheat Grown in Calabria (Italy)

The cultivation of wheat has been part of the evolution of human civilisation since ancient times. Wheat breeding has modified some of its characteristics to obtain improved varieties with high production potential that better meet the demands of the bread and pasta industry. Even today, there are still old varieties, landraces, adapted to particular environments. They are still cultivated in some areas because of the interest shown by the market in typical bakery products expressing the cultural heritage of local communities. The aim of this work was to evaluate the bio-agronomic and bakery characteristics of four modern genotypes, one old cultivar and two landraces of wheat typically grown in Calabria (Southern Italy). The experiment was carried out over two years in two different locations, during which the main bio-agronomic and quality traits related to bread making aptitude were detected. A marked difference was found between the landraces and the other genotypes in both agronomic and technological characteristics. Despite the higher protein and gluten content, landraces were found to have a significantly lower gluten index.