Soft White Wheat Research Articles

Effect of timing of application on the recovery of fertilizer N applied to irrigated soft white wheat

The effect of timing of application on the recovery of fertilizer N applied to irrigated soft white wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated in a 3-yr field study and a 1-yr lysimeter study using 15N-labelled urea and ammonium nitrate. Fertilizer N treatments consisted of a check and 90 kg ha−1 applied as preplant N, postplant N or combinations. Under a controlled watering regime in the lysimeter experiment, timing of N application had no effect on plant growth parameters. In the field studies, although grain yield was not affected by N timing, grain N concentration increased from 17.9 to 19.6 g kg−1 as the proportion of postplant N was increased from 0 to 100%. Plant N uptake was greater when all of the N was applied postplant than preplant (means = 124.5 and 114.2 kg ha−1, respectively) in the field studies. Plant recovery of fertilizer N (FNR) by the difference method was greater when all of the fertilizer N was applied postplant (43.7%) man preplant (28.6%) in the field experiments. With a negative apparent added N interaction (ANI), the FNR was less by the difference method than by the 15N method. However, with a positive ANI, FNR was less by the 15N method than by the difference method. There was a greater difference between methods as the proportion of N applied as postplant N increased. Key words: Fertilizer N timing, irrigation, soft white wheat, nitrogation, fertilizer N recovery

Variation at Glu‐1 Loci in Club Wheats

AbstractHexaploid club wheats (Triticum aestivum L.) possess unique end‐use quality characteristics and are grouped as a U.S. market subclass of soft white common wheat. Although there have been many reports on associations among high‐molecular‐weight glutenin storage protein (HMW‐Glu) sub‐units with end‐use quality in hard wheats; there has been very limited work done on surveying the club wheats for these subunits. The HMW‐Glu subunits, spike types and grain color were determined for 41 U.S. club wheat cultivars and 79 club accessions obtained from the National Small Grains Collection (NSGC), USDA‐ARS. Accession ‘Harlan JR 35’ (PI 420948), which appears morphologically to be a hexaploid club wheat, was determined to be tetraploid. Egyptian line ‘Maya II‐Tel's’ (PI 422288) was shown to have previously undescribed HMW‐Glu subunits. In the U.S. club wheats the most common HMW‐Glu subunits were: null, 49 % (Glu‐A1); 6, 37 % (Glu‐B1); and 2 + 12, 94 % (Glu‐D1). In the NSGC group the most common HMW‐Glu sub‐units were: 2*, 52 % (Glu‐A1); 7 + 8, 31 % (Glu‐B1); and 2 + 12, 92 % (Glu‐D1). The high frequency of subunits 2 + 12 in the club wheat groups has not been observed previously in numerous surveys of diverse wheat cultivars. The Glu‐B1 subunits 6 (without subunit 8) and 20 which have not been reported in US red wheats, were shown to be common in both club wheat groups. A comparison of diversity indices, including previous studies on HMW‐Glu subunit frequencies on all market classes of wheat, showed that the club groups are as diverse for the Glu‐A1 and Glu‐B1 loci and less diverse for the Glu‐D1 locus.

Dose response to soluble fiber from psyllium in cholesterol lowering in the hamster

Dose response in serum and liver lipids to graded levels of soluble fiber primarily from psyllium was studied in five groups of hamsters fed diets supplemented with 0.125% cholesterol and 1.1%, 2.1%, 3.3%, and 4.3% psyllium soluble fiber for three weeks. Compared to the control group fed AACC soft white wheat bran only, all psyllium-fed groups had significant reduction in serum total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol (p<0.0001) but there were no significant changes in triglycerides and HDL: total cholesterol ratios. Mean reduction in serum total cholesterol relative to the control group in response to graded doses of psyllium in the diet was linear (r=0.99, p<0.001), equivalent to 11% reduction per gram of soluble fiber from psyllium. Differences in liver weight and concentration of liver lipids (free cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipids) were significant among groups (p<0.005). Liver weight, esterified cholesterol and total lipids (mg/g liver) were correlated positively (r=0.60, 0.85, 0.66 respectively, p<0.0001), but liver triglycerides negatively (r=0.34, p<0.005), with serum total cholesterol.

High‐Molecular‐Weight Glutenin Subunits of the Most Commonly Grown Wheat Cultivars in the U.S. in 1984*

AbstractAll wheat varieties (106) grown in the U.S. on more than 100,000 acres (38,610 ha) as of the latest (1984) crop variety survey were characterized by sodium dodecylsulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). The high‐molecular‐weight glutenin subunit (HMW‐GS) band patterns for each variety were assigned the corresponding Payne numbers and theoretical quality scores based on those assignments. The subunit assignments were compared for the different wheat varieties and the five main wheat classes grown in the U.S. Hard red spring (HRS) and winter (HRW) wheats used mainly for breadmaking showed a remarkably high percentage of bands associated with good breadmaking quality. The allele 5+10, which has the strongest association with good quality, was present in 91 % of the hard red spring wheats and 62 % of the hard red winter wheats. Also, 91 % of all HRS and 53 % of HRW wheat varieties had quality scores of 9 or 10 (10 is the highest possible score). Evidently, by selecting for quality through close cooperation with quality testing laboratories, U.S. breeders have unknowingly selected for high quality glutenin subunits in their released varieties.HRS and HRW wheat varieties are normally grown in different environments in time and/or space, accounting to a large extent for differences in protein content (∼2 %) and other quality traits in the two crops. The uniformly high theoretical quality scores of the HRS wheats compared to more variable scores for HRW wheats may help to explain the popular perception that spring wheats have intrinsically higher quality than winter wheats. Admixing grain from variable (some poorer, most good) HRW wheat varieties (due to genetics or environment) has probably also led to the perception of overall lower quality for HRW than HRS wheats.In the soft red winter (SRW) and soft white (SW) wheat classes where the end‐use is typically cookies and cakes, 40 and 90 %, respectively, have the allele 2+12 that correlates with poor bread baking quality. The absence of alleles for good bread baking quality may be predictive of good quality for soft wheat products.

Soft White Winter Wheat Kernel Separation by Percent Protein

Eighty-five percent or more of the soft white wheat grown in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is exported. About half of this wheat is sold to Pacific Rim countries that require wheat with high test weight and less than 10.5% grain protein for making products such as pocket breads, cookies, and sponge cakes. Soft white wheat grown in the PNW varies from less than 7 to over 14% grain protein content and has test weights ranging from less than 700 to over 800 kg/m3.

A comparison of methods for the prediction of Cantonese noodle colour

The common laboratory method for preparing Cantonese raw noodle dough for colour evaluation requires 200–300 g flour, a Hobart mixer to mix the dough and an Ohtake laboratory noodle machine. Alternative methods requiring less flour or less costly apparatus were developed and compared. Although the brightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) were influenced by the method of noodle-dough preparation, variations between methods were consistent. Different formulations of Kansui had similar effects on noodle brightness and yellowness, with the exception of sodium hydroxide, which produced substantially increased yellowness. The rate of decrease in brightness with time was useful as a quality parameter in estimation of noodle colour and may be indicative, in some cases, of the presence of polyphenol oxidase enzymes. The ranges in brightness and yellowness of Cantonese noodle doughs are very similar for Canadian wheats, except for soft white wheat cultivars.Key words: Noodle, wheat, flour, colour, polyphenol oxidase

Morphological characteristics of wheat associated with high productivity

Eight wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars including soft white spring, hard red spring, Canada Prairie Spring (CPS) and durum types were grown on rain-fed and irrigated land from 1987 to 1990 at Lethbridge, AB, to assess the relationship between yield components and radiation-use efficiency. Canopy reflectance measurements were used to estimate seasonal absorption of photosynthetically active radiation (APAR). At maturity, yield components including tillers per plant, heads per plant, kernels per head and kernel weight were determined. Whole-plant phytomass and grain yield were also determined. Harvest index was determined from the ratio of grain yield to whole-plant (excluding roots) phytomass and radiation-use efficiency (RUE) was calculated from the ratio of whole-plant phytomass to APAR. Significant grain yield differences confirmed that soft white and CPS wheats yielded more and responded more to irrigation than hard red or durum wheats. The yield components that were consistently different among cultivars were kernels per head and kernel weight which would be expected to increase if a consistent supply of assimilate was available during grain filling. Soft white and CPS wheats had higher harvest indices than the hard red or durum wheats, particularly under irrigation. Whole-plant phytomass was closely related to APAR and there were few differences among cultivars for RUE. There was no difference in RUE between rain-fed and irrigated treatments, indicating that there was probably no crop water stress on the rain-fed plots. RUE estimates for 1988 were lower than for the succeeding years, indicating an environmental or edaphic stress in that year.Key words: Remote sensing, radiation-use efficiency, yield components

Evaluation of some characteristics of Chinese steamed buns prepared from Canadian wheat flours

A laboratory procedure for preparing and evaluating end-product characteristics of Chinese steamed buns from Canadian wheat flours is described. A blend of 60% Canada Western Red Winter (80% patent) and 40% Canada Western Soft White Spring (straight grade) wheat flours was evaluated and subsequently used as the control flour. Buns were prepared by a straight dough procedure using only flour, yeast and water. Evaluation of bun quality included measurement of volume with a loaf volumeter, symmetry by the width-to-height ratio, physical measurements of hardness, cohesiveness and gumminess with the Instron Universal Testing Machine, and color (L*, a*, b*) of crust and crumb using the HunterLab Labscan II Colorimeter. Buns prepared from different classes of Canadian wheats were evaluated. Both Canada Western Red Winter and Canada Western Red Spring wheat flours produced steamed buns which were similar to the control, whereas those made from a non-blended Canada Western Soft White wheat flour produced a less appealing product.Key words: Wheat, steamed buns, test-baking, flour, quality evaluation

Modulation of N-Nitrosomethylurea-Induced Mammary Tumor Promotion by Dietary Fiber and Fat

A test of the anticancer effects of dietary fiber was conducted using the N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU)-induced rat mammary tumor model. Starting 3 days after NMU treatment, four different groups of F344 rats (30 rats in each group) were fed as follows: Group 1 received a high-fat diet; group 2, a high-fat plus fiber diet (soft white wheat bran, 10% wt/wt); group 3, a low-fat diet; and group 4, a low-fat plus fiber diet. The rats remained on these diets for 15 weeks. Tumor incidence in group 1 was 90% compared with 66% in group 2 (P less than .001). Tumor incidence in group 3 was 63% compared with 47% in group 4 (P greater than .4). These results show that supplemental dietary fiber exerts an inhibitory effect on the promotional phase of NMU-induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats when fed a high-fat but not a low-fat diet. To test whether fiber may exert its antipromoting effect by reducing circulating estrogens, serum 17 beta-estradiol was assayed. No changes were observed in serum 17 beta-estradiol levels among the four groups, suggesting that the protective effect of fiber in this animal model is not mediated by a fiber-induced reduction of circulating 17 beta-estradiol.

Effect of dietary cereal brans on the metabolism of calcium, phosphorous and magnesium in a long term rat study

The effect of cereal brans on the mineral metabolism of rats was studied in a seven month long experiment. Seven groups (10 each) of male and female Sprague-Dawley weanling rats were fed ad lib for 7 weeks, diets containing cellulose, oat bran, hard red spring wheat bran, soft white wheat bran, corn bran and rodent lab chow at 4% or 14% total dietary fibre. In the seventh week (Phase 1) a mineral balance study was conducted on five randomly selected rats from each group. During week 8 these animals were killed and liver, heart, muscle and femur collected from each animal. The remaining animals were continued on the same diets for 21 more weeks. A second amineral balance study was carried out during week 24 (Phase 2) and the animals were killed during week 29 after colonic function tests during weeks 25–28. The diet, urine, feces and tissues were analysed for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, phytate (in diet and feces only) and trace elements. Results on macro-mineral elements indicated that the fractional absorption of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium by male and female rats was not significantly different (P≤0.01). Absorption was affected by the level of the total mineral in the diet and not by the kind of fibre source. Variation in the digestibility of phytate was probably caused by the phytase activity in the bran rather than its phytate content. Digestibility during week 24 was less than during week 7 in most cases. The diets did not appreciably affect mineral levels in soft tissues and bone except the females in all purified diet groups showed severe nephrocalcinosis in both phases. Kidneys of males fed some diets showed mild calcification in phase 2. The absence of nephrocalcinosis in females fed the rat chow was associated with low levels of urinary phosphorus and also to the fluoride and high magnesium content of the chow.

RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF FERTILIZER N AND SOIL NITRATE AT VARIOUS DEPTHS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SOFT WHITE WHEAT

Soft white wheat was grown on a clay loam soil for 2 yr with a wide range of soil nitrate (SN) (70–280 kg ha−1) and fertilizer nitrogen (FN) (0–400 kg ha−1) treatments The field experiment was designed to determine the slopes of the yield response curves to FN (δy/δFN) and to SN (δy/δSN), to determine how the ratio of (δy/δSN)/(δy/δFN), or marginal rate of substitution, is affected by FN, SN, and depth of SN and to determine if refinements to the current FN recommendations for irrigated soft white wheat are required. The δy/δFN values in both years were high at low levels of FN and SN but declined as FN and SN increased. The δy/δSN in 1985 when most SN was situated in the 0- to 30-cm soil layer was initially high (26.0) at low levels of SN but rapidly declined as SN increased. The δy/δSN in 1986, when most SN was situated in the 30- to 120-cm soil layer, was intially low (6.0) but increased as SN increased. Since the δy/δFN and δy/δSN values were sensitive to changes in FN and SN as well as the depth of SN the MRS values were variable in both years. The δy/δSN increased as SN increased when SN was situated in the 30- to 120-cm soil layer so there was only a small effect of depth of SN on FN recommendations. The FN at maximum profit occurred at a greater combined amount of SN and FN for the higher SN levels in both years. This preliminary field study suggested that fertilizer N recommendations could be improved by using an equation for predicting FN that considers a variable yield response to FN and SN, an interactive effect of FN and SN on yield, and an effect of depth of SN on yield. Key words: Soil nitrate, fertilizer nitrogen, soft white wheat, soil test N

STATUS OF BUNT RESISTANCE IN WESTERN CANADIAN SPRING WHEAT AND TRITICALE

The reaction of western Canadian spring wheat and triticale to a composite of races of common bunt (Tilletia caries and T. foetida) was assessed in field studies conducted over 2 yr at three locations. Triticale and durum wheat were designated immune or highly resistant. Among cultivars of hard red spring wheat, Columbus was the most resistant followed by Katepwa, Leader, and Lancer. Neepawa, Park, and Marquis were intermediate in resistance. Roblin and Laura were susceptible. The Canadian Prairie Spring wheats HY320 and HY360 were highly susceptible and susceptible, respectively, whereas Oslo was intermediate in resistance. The utility wheats Wildcat and Glenlea were highly susceptible and intermediate, respectively. The soft white wheats Owens and Fielder were susceptible. The reaction of the cultivars to individual bunt races was evaluated under controlled environment conditions to identify specific Bt resistance genes. This revealed the presence of Bt1 in the cultivar Canuck and Bt10 in the line BW-553. Resistance in the other cultivars of hard red spring wheat appeared to be race nonspecific in nature. Race specificity was apparent in durum wheat but the virulence pattern could not be employed to identify specific Bt resistance genes. The potential impact of seeding large acreages to spring wheat cultivars that are highly susceptible to common bunt is discussed.Key words: Tilletia caries, Tilletia foetida, bunt (common)

Effect of soft white wheat addition to alfalfa-grass forage on heifer gain, diet digestibility and in vitro digestion kinetics

The effects of soft white wheat addition to forage diets were studied in three trials. Level of wheat (0, 25 or 50%), in an alfalfa-grass haylage diet fed to heifers in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design, linearly ( P < 0.05) increased average daily gain from 0.61 to 0.75 kg day −1 and linearly ( P < 0.05) decreased dry matter intake (DMI) from 6.1 to 6.0 kg day −1 and feed gain ratio ( P < 0.10) from 10.4 to 8.2. Level of wheat (0, 25, 50 or 75%), in an alfalfa-grass hay diet fed to wethers in a 4 × 4 Latin square design digestion trial, quadratically ( P < 0.05) increased starch digestibility from 86.6 to 97.9%, and linearly ( P < 0.05) increased dry matter digestibility from 65.4 to 74.5% and energy digestibility from 63.0 to 72.3%. However, level of wheat linearly ( P < 0.05) decreased cellulose digestibility from 62.8 to 25.4% and acid detergent fiber digestibility from 55.1 to 19.0%. Level of wheat (0, 25, 50, 75 or 100%) addition to alfalfa-grass hay quadratically increased ( P < 0.05) in vitro rate (from 0.034 to 0.050 h −1) and extent of neutral detergent fiber digestion (from 59.8 to 75.0%). These data are interpreted to indicate that large negative associative effects on cellulose and acid detergent fiber digestibility occurred at 75% wheat addition to an alfalfa-grass hay. However, small positive associative effects on digestibility of dry matter, starch and energy, and in vitro rate of neutral detergent fiber occurred when small amounts of wheat were added to an alfalfa-grass forage.

Wheat Bran and the Induction of Intestinal Benzo(a)pyrene Hydroxylase by Dietary Benzo(a)pyrene

The mucosa of the intestine responds to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) with the rapid induction of benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase (BPH). Studies were conducted to determine if dietary fiber would reduce exposure of the intestine to dietary benzo(a)pyrene (BP) as indicated by intestinal BPH activity. In all studies, female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a fiber-free purified diet for 7 d, whereupon they were switched to experimental diets for 48 h. After 48 h their small intestinal mucosa was assayed for BPH activity. Diets for the initial study contained 0, 100, 400, 800, or 1200 mg BP/kg diet, each with and without 10% soft white wheat bran. Enzyme induction with 100 and 400 mg BP/kg diet was partially inhibited by bran, but with higher concentrations of BP there was no protective effect. The inhibition in BP-induced intestinal BPH activity was observed with 10% wheat bran but not with 3.3 or 6.6%. Subsequent studies showed no significant inhibition in BPH induction with cellulose or lignin, whereas all forms of wheat bran (hard red, soft white, or finely ground soft white) caused significant inhibition. In the final study, a diet containing charcoal-broiled beef, a known source of PAH, was compared with diets containing raw beef or soybean protein, each with and without 10% soft white wheat bran. BPH activity remained low with raw beef and soybean protein whether or not fiber was added. However, intestinal BPH activity was raised ninefold by charcoal-broiled beef. The addition of bran reduced BPH activity to 65% of that observed with the fiber-free, charcoal-broiled beef diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation of Four Analytical Methods to Detect Weevils in Wheat: Granary Weevil, Sitophilus granarius (L.), in Soft White Wheat

Soft white wheat was infested with adult granary weevils under controlled conditions at 3 levels of infestation, and samples were removed for testing 6 times over a total of 48 d. Three analytical methods available for use in FDA laboratories were compared along with a simple counting of the visually-detectable, insect-damaged kernels in a 100-g sample. The objective of the study was to determine how the analytical results compared with one another and with the levels of infestation. Data confirmed that the more rapid visual exam of wheat is not reliable for indicating the hidden, internally-developing weevils. Analysts should be aware of the possibility that wheat inspected visually could be passable with respect to insect-damaged kernels, but still may produce violative flour due to high insect fragment counts when processed. More research is needed to correlate insect infestation in wheat with insect fragment counts in flour. The two methods which could be used to estimate potential flour contamination caused by weevils are the x-ray exam and the cracking and flotation method, since both of these reveal the stages of weevil development inside the kernels. Tables present the results of the analyses and relate them to the number and sex of the founding adults in each level of infestation.

Consumer Acceptability and Color of Deep‐Fried Fish Coated with Wheat or Corn Distillers’Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS)

ABSTRACTDistillers’dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from hard red wheat, soft white wheat and corn were used at a substitution level of 25% by weight for all‐purpose flour in a conventional batter mix for fried fish. Fried fish nuggets (Alaskan pollock) prepared with a 25% DDGS batter either with or without a Japanese‐style Panko breading were evaluated by a consumer panel (N = 2,546) for acceptability. All experimental products were rated as acceptable. There were no significant differences among the ratings of the products coated with batter only. However, products coated with batter and then with Panko breading were rated differently: the corn DDGS coated sample was rated higher than the control, while the white and red wheat DDGS coated samples received the lowest ratings. International color measurements of the dry batter mixes and the fried fish nuggets containing DDGS were darker than the controls.

Chemical Composition of Distillers' Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) from Soft White Wheat, Hard Red Wheat and Corn

ABSTRACTThe chemical composition of distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced from two varieties of soft white wheat, a blend of hard red wheats, and corn was determined. On the average, the concentration of protein increased 2.4–3.1 times, crude fiber 2.6–3.8 times, and lipid 1.4–2.4 times. The carbohydrate decreased by 30–50% in DDGS compared to the corresponding starting grain. The ash in DDGS was 3.8–7.8 times that of the original grain. Many of the differences (p &lt; 0.05) in the concentration of lipid, protein, and crude fiber among the starting grains were also present in the DDGS products.

Feeding value of sprouted wheat ( Triticum aestivum) for beef cattle finishing diets

The feeding value of sprouted, soft white wheat was compared with that of sound (unsprouted) wheat and barley in the diets of 95 Simmental-Hereford beef cattle. There were no differences ( P > 0.05) in daily gains, feed intakes or feed gain ratios of cattle fed on either sound wheat, wheat with 9% sprouted kernels (low-sprout) or wheat with 58% sprouted kernels (high-sprout), when the wheat was included at 25 or 50% of the diet. When sound and sprouted wheats were given to 44-kg sheep, at 75% of the diet, dry matter intake of the sound-wheat diet was 21% less than that of the high-sprout-wheat diet; dry matter digestibility and the digestible energy content of the former diet were slightly greater (74.3 vs 70.7% and 3.2 and 3.0 kcal g −1), but neither difference was significant ( P > 0.05). It was concluded that sprouting does not affect the feeding value of wheat for finishing beef cattle when offered at 50% of the diet, and reduces it only slightly for sheep when given at 75% of the diet.

THE RESPONSE OF FALL-SOWN CEREALS TO WINTER STRESSES IN EASTERN ONTARIO

A study was made from 1979 to 1982 of the overwintering capacity of winter cereals at six sites in eastern Ontario outside the traditional winter wheat growing area. Cultivars of soft white, soft and hard red wheats, a rye and a triticale were compared for winter survival in the field, cold hardiness and ice tolerance of plants removed from the field in winter, and grain yield. Overall mean grain yield of four wheats was the equivalent of 3980 kg/ha with a high mean yield of Houser in 1982 of 5035 kg/ha. In 3 yr good survival and yields were obtained with a range of cultivars, while in the fourth year only the hardiest cultivars survived well at most sites. Survival was reduced at one site in all 4 yr by snow mold. There were significant cultivar × site interactions in winter survival in 3 of the 4 yr. Fall-developed cold hardiness showed significant differences between sites and between cultivars with site means ranging from LD50 values of −20.6 °C to −10.2 °C. There were major differences in cold hardiness and ice tolerance of field-grown plants of 23 cultivars at Ottawa in 1981, but correlations between the two parameters were not significant. Ice tolerance in winter 1982 showed significant differences between sites and between cultivars. Winter survival and cold hardiness were significantly correlated at two of the five sites in 1982 — the most stressful winter season. Overall, Norstar, the highest winter survivor of the wheats, was frequently the lowest yielder. The red wheats Lennox and Valor showed consistenty high cold hardiness and winter survival accompanied by good yields, while of the soft white wheats, Houser showed frequent superiority in cold hardiness, and inconsistent advantages in winter survival and yield.Key words: Wheat (winter), winter injury, survival, cold hardiness, ice

Effects of Iron Alone and in Combination with Calcium, Zinc and Copper on the Mineral-Binding Capacity of Wheat Bran

The addition of various combinations of iron, calcium, zinc and copper to soft white wheat bran (SWWB) and hard red spring wheat bran (HRSWB) was shown to effect both the solubility of added minerals and those occurring endogenously. The addition of equimolar concentrations of Fe and Zn resulted in a significant decrease in soluble iron of 5.4% and 9.0% for SWWB and HRSWB, respectively, and a significant decrease in soluble magnesium, compared to wheat bran systems with iron alone. However, when equimolar concentrations of Fe and Cu were added to the wheat bran systems, there was no significant effect on Fe solubility and a significant increase in Mg solubility. Further, the addition of Fe and Ca (160 mg) to the wheat bran systems caused a significant decrease in soluble iron of 12.0% for SWWB and 17.4% for HRSWB, and a significant increase in Mg solubility. These results suggest that there are mineral-specific binding sites in wheat bran.