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Zinc enrichment of Triticum aestivum L. (cvs. Roxo and Paiva): nutritional characterization and influence of tecnifol zinc in flours and grains
* 1, 2 , 1, 2 , 1, 2 , 1, 2 , 1, 2 , 1, 2 , 2, 3 , 3 , 2, 4 , 1, 2 , 1, 2 , 1, 2 , 2, 4 , 2, 4 , 2, 4 , 2, 4 , 4 , 2, 5 , 1, 2
1  Earth Sciences Department, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus da Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
2  GeoBioTec Research Center, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus da Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
3  Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Beja, R. Pedro Soares S/N, 7800-295 Beja, Portugal
4  Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, I. P. (INIAV), Estrada de Gil Vaz 6, 7351-901 Elvas, Portugal
5  PlantStress & Biodiversity Lab, Centro de Estudos Florestais (CEF), Laboratório Associado TERRA, Instituto Superior Agronomia (ISA), Universidade de Lisboa, Quinta do Marquês 2784-505 Oeiras, Portugal
Academic Editor: Manuel Viuda-Martos

Abstract:

There is growing concern about the increase in micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in zinc, along with the pathologies associated with this deficiency, as well a the need to feed a growing world population. Therefore, the agronomic biofortification of a staple crop (bread wheat) with zinc is a promising strategy, also enabling the production of a functional food with added value. The aim of this work was to characterize a functional product with prophylactic potential and to compare the Roxo and Paiva varieties, with and without foliar application of tecnifol Zinc. In an experimental field, located in Beja (Portugal), an agronomic biofortification of Triticum aestivum L. (cvs. Roxo and Paiva) workflow was implemented, involving foliar spraying with tecnifol zinc (control – 0 (P0Te, R0Te), 1.3 (P1Te, R1Te) and 2.6 (P2Te, R2Te) kg.ha-1). Mineral elements (S, K, Ca and Zn) were quantified in both whole and refined flours. The protein content of wheat grains was also determined, along with the quantification of soluble sugars in whole flours. An increase in protein content was observed with higher Zn application rates, with the Roxo variety exhibiting higher values. The decreasing order of mineral element concentrations was as follows: K>S>Ca>Zn in both whole and refined flours, with refined flours showing lower levels for all of the elements. The Roxo variety prevailed over Paiva for Ca and Zn, in both type of flour. In general, the soluble sugars followed an increasing concentration order: fructose < sucrose < raffinose < glucose. To sum up, the results support the potential of zinc-biofortified wheat as a functional food with prophylactic properties, helping to address nutritional deficiencies, such as Zn.

Keywords: agronomic biofortification; bread wheat flour; functional food; Triticum aestivum L.; zinc.
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