Genotypic variation of germ oil content in wheat

Abstract

Wheat germ oil is a highly rich unrefined oil that is one of the richest sources of Vitamin E, A and D. It also has a high content of proteins and Lecithin. It is a good source of fatty acids that are very vital for the healthy growth of the body. The objective of this paper was to determine the variability of grain oil content in twenty phenotypically divergent wheat varieties from different selection cycles. Analysis was conducted on the bran portion of the wheat grain. The bran fraction of wheat incorporates the germ, which is rich in oil. It was obtained using the laboratory mill MLU 202. Oil content was determined using the classical method developed by Ruskovski. Significant differences were found among the genotypes, with the oil content ranging from 2.62% (Skopljanka) to 5.21% (Dragana). Cluster analysis was used to sort the genotypes according to the degree of similarity. The large variability among the genotypes revealed by the study indicates the possibility for a further improvement of the tested trait.

Nerafinisano ulje dobijeno iz pšeničnih klica, predstavlja jedan od najbogatijih izvora vitamina E, A i D. Pored toga, odlikuje se i visokim sadržajem proteina i lecitina. Veoma je dobar izvor masnih kiselina koje povoljno utiču na pravilan razvoj organizma. Cilj ovog rada je bio da se utvrdi varijabilnost sadržaja ulja u zrnu različitih sorti pšenice. Analiza je obuhvatila dvadeset fenotipski divergentnih genotipova iz različitih ciklusa selekcije. Kao uzorak za analizu korišćen je omotač pšeničnog zrna (mekinjasti deo) dobijen u postupku mlevenja na laboratorijskom mlinu MLU 202. U mekinjastoj frakciji, pored omotača nalazi se i pšenična klica koja je bogata uljem. Za utvrđivanje sadržaja ulja primenjena je klasična metoda po Ruškovskom. Utvrđene su značajne razlike između genotipova pri čemu se sadržaj ulja kretao od 2.62% (Skopljanka) do 5.21% (Dragana). Primenom klaster analize izvršeno je grupisanje prema stepenu sličnosti. Velika varijabilnost između genotipova ukazuje na dalju mogućnost unapređenja analiziranog svojstva.