Pentosan Content Research Articles

Effect of pre-hydrolysis on the dissolution of hardwood pulp in double salt ionic liquid

Abstract Ionic liquids (ILs) are potentially alternative solvents for cellulose dissolution. In this article, effect of hemicellulose in cellulose dissolution in ILs and the regeneration process were investigated. Hardwood pulps were produced by kraft (KP) and pre-hydrolysis kraft (PHKP) processes. The α-cellulose and residual pentosan contents were 95.6 % and 4.2 % in PHKP and 84.3 % and 9.9 % in KP, respectively. Both pulps were dissolved in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C4mim]Cl, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate [C4mim]CH3CO2 and their double salt (DSIL), [C4mim](CH3CO2)0.6Cl0.4 at 90 °C. It was observed that PHKP had slightly higher solubility in both ILs and DSIL. The dissolved pulps were regenerated by water and characterized by FTIR, TGA, X-ray diffraction, and viscosity. Regenerated pulp film formed smooth and homogenous surface. The viscosity of regenerated PHKP was higher than the original PHKP, which affected the strength of the produced cellulose film. As observed in FTIR, the regenerated cellulose showed a stronger absorption band at 1,647 cm−1 corresponding to the C–O stretching vibration of C–O–H. The crystalline structures of regenerated KP and PHKP from [C4mim](CH3CO2)0.6Cl0.4 changed to cellulose II form from the original cellulose I form.

Principles of rye breeding for low content of water-soluble pentosans in grain

Winter rye is the second cereal crop after wheat. Rye exceeds other cereals in terms of nutritional value due to the high content of lysine, methionine, valine, as well as the balance of other essential amino acids in its protein. The direct use of baking rye grain as an animal feed is limited by the presence of water-soluble pentosans (arabinoxylans) in it. Therefore, the creation of low-pentosan rye with highly nutritious grain is a very perspective direction in the grain feed cultivar breeding. Under the leadership and with direct participation of Vladimir D. Kobylyansky, a technology for breeding multiple-use low-pentosan rye was worked out at the N.I. Vavilov VIR in 2004-2021. A relationship between the low pentosan content and grain coat thinness has been revealed. For the first time, an effective method of low-pentosan genotypes identification by selecting thin-coat grains has been developed. This method was used to study 562 accessions from the VIR collection represented by cultivar populations, weedy and wild rye. It has been established that the number of thin-coat grains in a sample varies from 12 to 70%, depending on the accession. Varieties with the highest frequencies of low-pentosan genotypes can be used as initial material for breeding. The dependence of low content of water-soluble pentosans in grains on the expression of recessive alleles of the gene/genes responsible for the manifestation of the trait has been revealed. To create grain feed cultivars, it is proposed to use the method of cumulative intrapopulation crosses and the method of pairwise cross-pollinations of the plants with indicator ears. As a result, new cultivar populations of low-pentosan rye for universal use have been created, namely ‘Vavilovskayaʼ, ‘Bereginyaʼ, ‘Podarokʼ, ‘Yantarnayaʼ, ‘Krasnoyarskaya Universalnayaʼ, ‘Novaya Eraʼ, and ‘Argaʼ. These cultivars are characterized by a low, as in wheat, genetically determined content of pentosans. They have been evaluated in the main rye growing regions, tested as raw material for fodder production and bread baking, and found to match the previously released commercial (bread) cultivars in terms of yield. The baking properties of new cultivars do not exceed those of bread rye. The use of low-pentosan cultivars in animal diets eliminates the problem that exists when feeding them with bread rye grain. These cultivars have no analogs in the world; they are listed in the State Register for Selection Achievements Admitted for Usage (2023).

Influence of parameters of the carbohydrate-amylase complex and protein content in grain on the baking quality of Winter Rye

The studies were carried out in 2018–2022. in the Samara region in order to identify the influence of the parameters of the carbohydrate-amylase complex and protein content in grain on baking properties in order to use the most informative indicators in the selection of winter rye for baking in the conditions of the Middle Volga region. The material was 4 varieties and 3 promising lines – Saratovskaya 7 (standard), Bezenchukskaya 87, Bezenchukskaya 110, Antares and lines GK-80, GKNP-3, GKNP-4. The soil is ordinary chernozem, medium deep, medium loamy, predecessor is pure fallow, repeated four times. The main parameters that determine the state of starch and influence the rheological properties of rye dough and baking evaluation reached: the «falling number» indicator – 188…255 s, the maximum viscosity on the amylograph – 424…570 u. a. The relationship between the height of the ammylogram and the «falling number» in 2019, 2020 and 2022. was strongly positive (r= 0.95; r= 0.89; r= 0.92). In 2020 and 2021 There was a positive correlation between the height of the amylogram and the volumetric yield of bread (r = 0.86; r = 0.82), the falling number also in these years was significantly positively correlated with the volumetric yield of bread (r = 0.65; r = 0.76). On average, over the years of research, the content of water-soluble pentosans, depending on the variety, varied from 2.46 to 3.00 %. In 2019, the highest values of this indicator were noted – 2.70…3.55 %, the volume of bread was also the highest – 520…655 cm3, and only this year a positive relationship was noted between the values of these indicators (r = 0.72). The relationship between pentosans and the «falling number», which is also responsible for the baking properties of winter rye, was significantly positive in 2019, 2020 and 2022. (r= 0.80; r= 0.78; r= 0.70). Protein content was positively correlated with bread volume yield (r=0.80; r=0.75) only in 2018 and 2019. A negative correlation was established between protein content and amylogram height in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. (r= –0.80; r= –0.80; r= –0.82; r= –0.78). There is also a negative relationship between protein content and the number of falls in 2019, 2020 and 2022 (r = –0.84; r = –0.80; r = –0.67). When selecting varieties of winter rye for baking, it is necessary to carry out conjugate selection based on the height of the amylogram and the «falling number» while stabilizing the protein at an acceptable level of 12.0…12.8 %.

Assessment of the Baking Properties of Rye Flour Based on the Polysaccharide Content and Properties

This study aimed to determine the baking quality of rye flour in terms of the content and properties of its polysaccharides, i.e., starch and pentosans. The study materials were low- and high-extract rye flours produced in industrial mills from the rye grain of two growing seasons (2019 and 2020). The results of the starch content, falling number, amylograph properties, DSC test, content of pentosans, swelling curve test, and laboratory baking test were determined. It was found that the type of flour had a greater impact on the baking quality of rye flour than the year of its production. Research has shown that the most frequently used parameters, such as the falling number and the maximum viscosity of starch paste, are not good indicators for assessing the baking value of currently produced rye flours. From the parameters used for evaluating the properties of the starch–amylolytic complex, the initial and onset temperatures for starch gelatinization were the best indicators for evaluating the baking quality of rye flour. This study revealed a significant correlation between the pentosan content (total, water soluble, and insoluble), swelling curve parameters and quality parameters of rye bread, such as the specific bread volume, bread crumb moisture, and bread crumb hardness. Assessment of the baking value of rye flour based only on the evaluated properties of the starch–amylolytic complex is currently not sufficient to determine the baking quality of rye flour and predict the quality of rye bread. This study on the baking quality of rye flour should be extended to include the assessment of the dough properties related to the pentosan content and the enzymes that degrade these components. It was shown that the properties of rye dough related to the content of pentosan can be characterized based on the swelling curve test as a method that, together with the initial and onset starch gelatinization temperatures, allows better assessment of the baking quality of the commercial rye flour and its suitability for the good-quality rye bread production.

Influence of Nitrogen Fertilisation Level and Weather Conditions on Yield and Quantitative Profile of Anti-Nutritional Compounds in Grain of Selected Rye Cultivars

Cultivar, habitat conditions and agrotechnology have an influence on the yield and chemical composition of rye grain. The main anti-nutritional substances present in rye grain include alkylresorcinols, water-soluble pentosans and trypsin inhibitors. The aim of this study was to determine the variability in yield and the concentration of anti-nutritional compounds in the grain of selected winter rye cultivars in relation to nitrogen fertilisation levels and weather conditions. Field studies were conducted at the Experimental Station of IUNG-PIB in Osiny (Poland) in two growing seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020). The experiment was located on pseudo-polylic soil using the randomised sub-block method in three replications. The first factor of the experiment was the level of nitrogen fertilisation (0, 70 and 140 kg N∙ha−1) and the second was the population (Dańkowskie Skand, Piastowskie) and hybrid (KWS Vinetto, SU Performer) winter rye cultivars. The study showed that the yield of winter rye depended on the genotype and the level of nitrogen fertilisation. The hybrid cultivars yield ed 17.9% higher in relation to the population cultivars. The content of anti-nutritional compounds in rye grain depended significantly on genotype, level of nitrogen fertilisation and weather conditions. The reason for the higher synthesis of anti-nutrients in rye grain was the stressful weather conditions occurring in the 2019/2020 season. Nitrogen fertilisation influenced the content of alkylresorcinols, water-soluble pentosans and trypsin inhibitor activity in grain. The interaction of cultivar and fertilisation was also found to shape the content of the aforementioned anti-nutrients.

Chemical composition of fiber and shive in bast-fiber crops and the products of their alkaline delignification

The present article examines the chemical composition of fiber and shive from fiber flax and hemp obtained in Russia under industrial conditions, as well as that of the products of their alkaline delignification. Alkaline delignification was carried out at atmospheric pressure with a 4% sodium hydroxide solution; the chemical composition was determined via wet analysis. The chemical composition of hemp shive from Russian producers was studied for the first time. In the studied objects, the mass fraction of cellulose was found to range from 42.3 to 66.1%, and after alkaline delignification, the yield of products reached 47.0–50.0%. The behavior of fiber flax and hemp fiber is similar during alkaline delignification: cellulose content increases by 1.2–1.3 times, pentosan content decreases by 4.3–6.3 times, and lignin content is virtually the same. The behavior of fiber flax and hemp shive is dramatically different during alkaline delignification. The shive of fiber flax is resistant to alkaline delignification: cellulose content increases by 1.4 times, pentosan content decreases by 4.2 times, and lignin content increases by 1.4 times, which is due to the nature of lignin. Hemp shive is easily alkaline delignified: cellulose content increases by 1.8 times; the content of pentosans decreases by 5.8 times, and lignin content decreases by 2.2 times; the product of alkaline delignification contains cellulose (87.3%), pentosans (5.4%), and lignin (8.2%). The use of hemp shive for chemical and biotechnological transformation is expected to have high prospects.

Organic acid fractionation of hardwoods planted in social forestry

Abstract Trema orientalis and Trewia nudiflora are the fastest rotation trees (3–4 years’ rotation) in Bangladesh, and experimentally planted in social forestry in Gazipur district. Biorefinery is the most cited topic in research recent era in order to established circular bioeconomy. In established a biorefinery initiative, both species were fractionated into pulp, lignin and hemicellulose by formic acid (FA) treatment at atmospheric conditions. After alkaline peroxide bleaching of FA treated pulp, the yield was 47.0 % and 41.0 % with α-cellulose of 82.39 % and 81.61 %, and residual pentosan content of 9.26 % and 11.13 % for T. orientalis and T. nudiflora, respectively. The brightness of the pulps was 84.5 % and 85.0 %. Cold alkali extraction of the bleached pulp increased α-cellulose to 92.36 % and 91.29 % which was suitable for cellulose derivatives. Lignin was separated from the spent liquor by adding water. The FA lignin from hardwood replaced 20 % phenol in phenol-formaldehyde resin preparation without sacrifice of shear strength. The lignin separated FA liquor contains mainly pentose sugars, which was subsequently converted to furfural with a yield of 41.39 % and 41.72 % at 170 °C using 0.1 % H2SO4 catalyst from T. orientalis and T. nudiflora, respectively.

Analysis of nucleotide sequences of the <i>GT47</i> glycosyltransferase gene in rye cultivars differing in the content of water-soluble pentosans in grain

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is the most important crop in Russia, its grain quality depends on the content of water-soluble pentosans. The grain of rye cultivars with high content of water-soluble pentosans has good baking properties, but low fodder qualities. Methods of marker-assisted selection for this trait in rye remain undeveloped. For Triticeae, the content of pentosans in grain may be associated with the GT47 glycosyltransferase genes, but the genes of this family have not been identified in rye. The aim of this study was amplification, sequencing, and search for single nucleotide substitutions or other mutations in the GT47 gene in various rye cultivars differing in the content of water-soluble pentosans in their grain and the viscosity of their aqueous extract. DNA from rye leaves was isolated by the standard CTAB method. Based on the nucleotide sequences of the bread wheat and barley GT47 genes, universal primers were selected, then a fragment of the open reading frames of the studied gene was amplified, and the nucleotide sequences were determined by automatic capillary sequencing. The population cultivars of rye, ‘Chulpan 7’ and ‘Podarok’, and F1 hybrids ‘KVS Aviator’, ‘KVS Magnifico’ and ‘KVS Eterno’ were analyzed. The highest content of pentosans and the highest kinematic viscosity of the aqueous extract were found in cv. ‘Chulpan 7’. The lowest values of these indicators were shown by the hybrid cv. ‘KVS Aviator’. The analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the GT47 gene revealed the presence of single-nucleotide substitutions in seven loci, in which the studied rye cultivars differed. Of these, the high-pentosan cv. ‘Chulpan 7’ and the low-pentosan cv, ‘KVS Aviator’ differed in three nucleotide substitutions: 159 (G/A), 204 (C/T), and 327 (G/A). It is suggested that these SNPs can be used for genotyping rye cultivars for the content of water-soluble pentosans in grain.

Effect of Hydrolysis Regime on the Properties of Fibers Obtained from Recycling Medium-Density Fiberboards

Unlike the recycling of particleboards, the recycling of medium-density fiberboards (MDF) is not a widespread industrial practice, and currently, most waste MDF panels are landfilled or incinerated after the end of their life cycle. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop cost-effective methods for MDF recycling. The extraction of resins used for bonding the panels, mostly urea–formaldehyde (UF) resins, is carried out mainly with hydrolysis. Hydrothermal hydrolysis is a more environmentally friendly and cheaper recycling technique compared to acid hydrolysis and allows obtaining a high yield of recycled fibers. The aim of this research work was to investigate and evaluate the effect of hydrolysis regime applied on its efficiency and on the properties of the recycled MDF fibers. For this purpose, thermal hydrolysis was carried out in an autoclave with saturated steam as a heat carrier. The main novelty of the research is the preliminary preparation of the recyclable MDF in samples with dimensions close to those of pulp chips. The effect of hydrolysis regime characteristics, i.e., process time and temperature on the properties of recycled MDF wood fibers, was studied. The hydrolysis temperatures used were 121 °C (saturated steam pressure of 0.2 MPa) and 134 °C (saturated steam pressure of 0.3 MPa); for each temperature, three durations were applied—30, 45, and 60 min. After hydrolysis, the resulting fiber fraction was refined using a hammer mill. The fractional and elemental composition of the recycled fibers obtained were evaluated. The hemicellulose content after each hydrolysis treatment was also determined. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) was defined as an indicator of wastewater contamination and as an indirect indicator of the quantitative yield of the process. The results revealed no significant changes in the elemental composition of the recycled fibers, and the hydrolysis regimes used showed no decrease in pentosan content. The recycled MDF fibers exhibited similar fiber morphology and fractional composition, being shorter than fibers from industrial pulp. The increased temperature and time of hydrolysis resulted in a significant increase in COD values. Based on the obtained results, with a view to the slightest contamination of wastewater (as determined by COD), the most promising hydrolysis regime was at a temperature of 121 °C and a time of 30 min. It should be emphasized that for a confirmation of this statement, the properties of MDF panels fabricated with fibers recycled in different regimes should be subsequently investigated.

The new winter rye variety ‘Irtyshskaya 2’

Winter rye, with all its advantages (adaptability, stress resistance, increased productivity), cannot compete with other grain crops, and the reason is grain quality to a greater extent. Solution of the issue is possible when cultivating rye varieties with a low content of water-soluble pentosans in grain. In Western Siberia, winter rye has traditionally been considered a leading grain crop, which efficiently uses environmental resources and is more productive in comparison with winter wheat and triticale. In order to increase the efficiency, the low-pentosan rye variety ‘Bereginya’ was involved in the breeding study of the Omsk Agricultural Research Center. As an initial form, this variety was used to develop a new variety ‘Irtyshskaya 2’. The purpose of the current work was to characterize this variety according to a number of valuable traits. The study was carried out on the experimental plots of the laboratory for winter crop breeding in 2020–2022. The estimation of the rye variety ‘Irtyshskaya 2’ has identified several advantages in comparison with the standard variety ‘Irina’. The new variety was more productive. Its excess over the standard variety was 0.36 t/ha (with an average productivity of 6.34 t/ha). The variety ‘Irtyshskaya 2’ is characterized by the best severity of quantitative traits (‘grain size’ and ‘head productivity’) and grain quality indicators (‘grain unit’, ‘falling number’). In order to select for increased productivity of a new variety there has been proposed grain content of a head as the main trait, which is characterized by a strong correlation with the trait ‘grain weight per head’ (r = 0.731–0.889). In 2022 the variety ‘Irtyshskaya 2’ was sent to the State Variety Testing and recommended for use in the West Siberian and East Siberian regions.

Chemical analysis Dendrocalamus asper bamboo and suitability for pulp and paper

The chemical analysis of bamboo species, namely Dendrocalamusasper or popular named as BuluhBetong has been evaluated. From the age of 3 years, this species shows different chemical properties related to holocellulose,  cellulose, solvent extraction, alkali solubility, lignin, hot water solubility, cold water solubility, ash, silica and pentosan. Holocellulose content of about 60.48% to 64.75%,  cellulose content of about 35.73% to 43.14%, for all bamboo segments indicated as a suitable material for pulp and papermaking. Low level of solvent extractive of about 5.09% to 6.23%, hot water soluble of about 6.29% 9.49% and cold water soluble of about 9.35% to 10.49% also produced the content that cannot interfere with the paper-making process. In addition, the low ash and silica content for all sections of bamboo will indicate a normal alkali consumption and give little challenge to the operational process. High pentosan content in the middle and top sections between 16.32% and 20.88% and lignin content of around 39.27% to 32.51% also promise little challenge for pulping as compared to the bottom section. Therefore, based on the overall findings, the middle section, and the top section had an advantage over the bottom section. As a result, the middle and top sections are best used as a new material in pulp and paper making process.

Конверсия пшеничных отрубей в целевые продукты биосинтеза

A more efficient bioconversion of renewable plant resources is a priority in modern biotechnology. An important aspect of the processing and pretreatment of cellulose raw materials is to obtain a high content of reducing substances in the final product. The present research objective was to determine the optimal conditions for the chemical transformation of plant polymers to obtain biologically valuable substances. The research results will reduce the final cost of biotechnological production.
 This research featured wheat bran polymers treated with sulfuric acid and relied on a set of standard research methods. The degree of polymer conversion was tested on native and mechanically activated wheat bran fractions of 600, 200, and 100 microns. The kinetics of the high-temperature chemical hydrolysis was as follows: temperature – 120–130°C, sulfuric acid concentration – 0.6–0.9%, treatment time – 30–60 min, hydromodule – 1:8;9;10. The quantitative and qualitative composition of mono- and disaccharides of hydrolysates was determined using the high performance liquid chromatography method. 
 The composition of wheat bran showed a low content of lignin (7.55%) and a high content of pentosans (17.9%). The highest content of reducing substances in hydrolysates was 640 mg/g bran. The optimal technological conditions with the highest content of reducing substances were as follows: hydromodulus – 1:10, temperature – 120°C, treatment time – 45 min, and sulfuric acid concentration – 0.9%. The greatest change in the content of mono- and disaccharides of hydrolysates belonged to pentoses: 78.2 mg/g of bran (in terms of xylose). The amount of easily hydrolysable carbohydrates and wheat bran fiber decreased by 80 and 19%, respectively.
 This research revealed the optimal parameters for the chemical hydrolysis of wheat bran to obtain biologically valuable carbohydrates. This area of research can be of practical use for producers of biofuels, chemicals, and food additives.

Effect of Increasing Levels of Mineral Nutrition on the Quality of Various Fractions of Winter Rye Grain

Data are presented on the change in the main quality indicators of various fractions of winter rye grain grown against the background of increasing levels of mineral nutrition. Studies have shown the absence of any statistically significant dependences of the weight of 1000 grains weight of a certain (specific) fraction of winter rye grain on the level of mineral nutrition. In this case, the dependence of the 1000 grains weight on the grain thickness was described as accurately as possible (by R2) by a second-order equation. In contrast to the 1000 grains weight, the content of protein and pentosans, as well as the value of the falling number indicator, significantly depend both on the level of mineral nutrition and on the thickness of the grain. At the same time, the dependencies of the content of protein and pentosans on the level of mineral nutrition and the of the caryopsis reflect the equations of the second, and the falling number indicator, of the third order as accurately as possible.

Use of NIR spectroscopy and multivariate regression for prediction of pentosan content in wood pulp

Use of NIR spectroscopy and multivariate regression for prediction of pentosan content in wood pulp

Evaluation of Chemical Composition of Miscanthus × giganteus Raised in Different Climate Regions in Russia.

Lignocellulosic biomass is of great interest as an alternative energy resource because it offers a range of merits. Miscanthus × giganteus is a lignocellulosic feedstock of special interest, as it combines a high biomass productivity with a low environmental impact, including CO2 emission control. The chemical composition of lignocellulose determines the application potential for efficient industrial processing. Here, we compiled a sample collection of Miscanthus × giganteus that had been cultivated in different climate regions between 2019 and 2021. The chemical composition was quantified by the conventional wet methods. The findings were compared with each other and with the known data. Starting as soon as the first vegetation year, Miscanthus was shown to feature the following chemical composition: 43.2–55.5% cellulose content, 17.1–25.1% acid-insoluble lignin content, 17.9–22.9% pentosan content, 0.90–2.95% ash content, and 0.3–1.2% extractives. The habitat and the surrounding environment were discovered herein to affect the chemical composition of Miscanthus. The stem part of Miscanthus was found to be richer in cellulose than the leaf (48.4–54.9% vs. 47.2–48.9%, respectively), regardless of the planation age and habitat. The obtained findings broaden the investigative geography of the chemical composition of Miscanthus and corroborate the high value of Miscanthus for industrial conversion thereof into cellulosic products worldwide.

Dissolving pulp and furfural production from jute stick

AbstractIn this paper, dissolving pulp is produced from jute stick and jute fiber mixture in pre-hydrolysis soda-anthraquinone process. The overall pulp yield was 30.7 % with kappa number 14.8 at the conditions of 18 % alkali charge for 2 h cooking at 170 °C. The purity of the produced pulp was 94.1 % with residual pentosan content of 4.64 %, which improved to 95.3 % with residual pentosan content of 3.7 % by cold alkali extraction process. The prehydrolysis liquor from the jute stick – jute fiber mixture contained 5.07 % xylose, which was converted to furfural by varying H2SO4concentration, time and temperature. The maximum furfural yield (60.5 %) was obtained at the conditions of 0.1 N H2SO4for 60 min at 170 °C. Further increase of reaction parameter decreased furfural yield.

Chemical Composition and Related Properties of Lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) Bark and Wood as Affected by Tree Growth Conditions

Tilia cordata Mill. is a favourite tree used in urban spaces. For this reason, it is important to know its sensitivity to environmental stress, which is particularly burdensome for vegetation in urban spaces. The aim of the study was to investigate the properties necessary to control the growth of these trees and their subsequent use, i.e., chemical properties (percentage contents of cellulose, holocellulose, lignin, pentosans and substances soluble in NaOH and EtOH) as well as the chemical elements (K, Na, Mg, Ca and Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, B, Ni, Cr, Al, As and Hg) and selected hygroscopic properties (hysteresis and sorption isotherms). Trees of Tilia cordata Mill. growing in environments exposed to environmental stress of varying severity were examined. Regardless of the growth conditions, in terms of its chemical composition, bark differs significantly from wood, showing twice the contents of soluble substances in NaOH and lignin and half the content of polysaccharides. Growth conditions clearly affect the range of selected chemical components in bark, e.g., substances soluble in ethanol, cellulose, or lignin. The main inorganic elements in bark and wood are Na, K, Ca, Mg and Zn. In bark, a relationship was found between the content of most chemical elements and differing environmental growth conditions. It was shown that environmental stress influenced the hygroscopic properties of wood and bark, which are a consequence of the percentage of chemical components.

Identification of New QTLs for Dietary Fiber Content in Aegilops biuncialis.

Grain dietary fiber content is an important health-promoting trait of bread wheat. A dominant dietary fiber component of wheat is the cell wall polysaccharide arabinoxylan and the goatgrass Aegilops biuncialis has high β-glucan content, which makes it an attractive gene source to develop wheat lines with modified fiber composition. In order to support introgression breeding, this work examined genetic variability in grain β-glucan, pentosan, and protein content in a collection of Ae. biuncialis. A large variation in grain protein and edible fiber content was revealed, reflecting the origin of Ae. biuncialis accessions from different eco-geographical habitats. Association analysis using DArTseq-derived SNPs identified 34 QTLs associated with β-glucan, pentosan, water-extractable pentosan, and protein content. Mapping the markers to draft chromosome assemblies of diploid progenitors of Ae. biuncialis underlined the role of genes on chromosomes 1Mb, 4Mb, and 5Mb in the formation of grain β-glucan content, while other QTLs on chromosome groups 3, 6, and 1 identified genes responsible for total- and water-extractable pentosan content. Functional annotation of the associated marker sequences identified fourteen genes, nine of which were identified in other monocots. The QTLs and genes identified in the present work are attractive targets for chromosome-mediated gene transfer to improve the health-promoting properties of wheat-derived foods.

Optimization of superheated steam treatment conditions for wheat aleurone layer flour

Although, wheat aleurone layer flour (WALF) is a good source of nutrients, it has certain disadvantages due relatively high levels of lipids and various of microorganisms and enzymes. Therefore, in the current study, the effect of superheated steam (SS) treatment on stabilization of WALF was investigated. This study aims to explore the effects of SS treatment on the degradation of free fatty acids of WALF under different conditions. The optimal process was obtained by an orthogonal optimization experiment, including optimized SS temperature, material moisture and treatment time. Results showed that the free fatty acids content of WALF significantly were decreased with SS treatment as the increase of treatment temperature, material moisture content and treatment times (p<0.05). Therefore, the optimum treatment conditions were selected during SS treatment. Compared with raw WALF, the activity of enzymes, total number of microbial colonies and phytate content in WALF were notably reduced after the SS of optimal condition. Nevertheless, its total dietary fiber content, insoluble dietary fiber content, pentosan content, total phenol content and total antioxidant capacity presented a remarkable increase (p<0.05).

Ergot development on low-pentosan diploid winter rye

Ergot (Claviceps purpurea (Fr) Tul.) is a widespread rye disease. A strong development of the disease can reduce up to 60% of grain productivity and its quality. In the rye gene pool, there was found no samples with complete resis[1]tance to Cl. purpurea. Since 2016, six new winter rye varieties with a low content of water-soluble pentosans in grain have been approved for cultivation in Russia. It has been noticed that low-pentosan varieties are less affected by ergot. The harmful effect of the disease largely depends on the sclerotia parameters. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the development of ergot on the high-pentosan winter rye variety ‘Era’ and its low-pentosan analogue ‘Novaya Era’. There was estimated the infestation of the varieties, the size and weight of the formed sclerotia. It was found that with the same infection level, the infestation of the variety ‘Era’ was 48.5%, and that of the variety ‘Novaya Era’ was 18.1%. On the heads of high-pentosan rye there were formed full-fledged sclerotia with 15.97–23.55 mm in length and 2.68–3.83 mm in width. On the heads of low-pentosan rye ‘Novaya Era’ the fungus formed underdeveloped sclerotia, the mass of which was 4-8 times less than on the variety ‘Era’. The small size and weight of the horns facilitated their removal from the crop during threshing, and reduced rye grain infection with ergot. The frequency of low-pentosan plants occurring in the varietal population affects the infection rate of rye. The frequency of low-pentosan plants in the variety ‘Era’ is 43%, and in the variety ‘Novaya Era’ is 95%. The development of rye varieties characterized by a low content of water-soluble pentosans in grain is connected with breeding for resistance to Cl. purpurea.