Diversity of spelt and common wheat grown under different management based on their bioactive component composition

Abstract

Wheat and other cereals are important sources of dietary fibre and antioxidants. Most of the bioactive components are found in the outer layers and aleurone layers of the seed, but also the flour contains some. The major dietary fibre components in the wheat grain are cell wall polysaccharides such as arabinoxylan and β-glucan, which account for about 70% and 20%, respectively, of the total cell wall polysaccharides in the starchy endosperm. Barley and oats are rich in β-glucan, while wheat and rye are richer in arabinoxylan. Arabinoxylan has two forms, i.e. water-soluble (WE) and insoluble (WU) fractions, which differ in their health benefits. Antioxidants (e.g., alkylresorcinol) delay or inhibit oxidation processes. Alkylresorcinol is formed in the organism and acts against free radicals, which are responsible for the cell degradation.