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Wheat, being a crucial global food crop, holds immense significance for food safety and agricultural economic stability, as the quality and condition of its grains are critical factors. Traditional methods of wheat grain detection are inefficient, and the advancements in deep learning offer a novel solution for fast and accurate grain recognition. This study proposes an improved deep learning model based on YOLOv8n, referred to as YOLO-SDL, aiming to achieve efficient wheat grain detection. A high-quality wheat grain dataset was first constructed, including images of perfect, germinated, diseased, and damaged grains. Multiple data augmentation techniques were employed to enhance the dataset's complexity and diversity. The YOLO-SDL model incorporates the ShuffleNetV2 architecture in its backbone and combines depthwise separable convolutions (DWConv) with the large separable kernel attention (LSKA) mechanism in its neck structure, significantly improving detection speed and accuracy while ensuring the model remains lightweight. The results indicate that YOLO-SDL achieves superior performance in wheat grain detection, balancing lightweight design and performance optimization. The model achieved a P of 0.942, R of 0.903, mAP50 of 0.965, and mAP50-95 of 0.859, with low computational complexity, making it suitable for resource-constrained environments. These findings demonstrate the efficiency of the ShuffleNetV2, DWConv, and LSKA structures. The proposed YOLO-SDL model provides a new technical solution for agricultural automation and serves as a reliable reference for detecting other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree of proteolytic modification in wheat malts significantly affects their quality, determining their suitability for use in brewing. Nitrogen fertilization at doses of 60 and 80 kg N·ha−1 applied during 3-year field experiments had a positive effect on the content of protein compounds in the analyzed wheat malts. The total protein content of the malts obtained averaged 9.9–10.1% d. m., depending on the cultivar, and from 9.1 to 10.8% dry matter, depending on nitrogen fertilization. The soluble protein content and Kolbach index value were at similar levels (4.60% dry matter and 46.07%, respectively, on average) except for malt obtained from the Elixer cultivar, for which significantly lower values were obtained (by 7.39% and 6.66%, respectively). In contrast, the highest free amino nitrogen value was obtained for malts derived from the Elixer and Gimantis cultivars. The least variation in the quality of malts derived from grains obtained in the three growing seasons during the field experiments was in the cultivar Gimantis. In 2-year commodity field experiments (in commodity farms), under 60 kg N·ha−1 nitrogen fertilization, the cultivar Lawina was characterized by the best indices of the degree of proteolytic modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the EU is focusing on less intensive agrotechnology and sustainable development. It is important to minimize the occurrence of mycotoxins (including Fusariotixins) in food, and to monitor mycotoxin concentration in the food chain. Therefore, this study evaluated Fusarium mycotoxin contamination, specifically type A and B trichothecenes and ergosterol concentration, in wheat grain from a three-year field experiment (2019–2021) conducted at IUNG-PIB in Osiny (Poland), along with its byproducts (bran, flour, bread). Four wheat cultivars were grown under different farming systems: organic (ORG), integrated (INT), and conventional (CONV). Ergosterol was analyzed using HPLC with an absorbance detector while Type A and B trichothecenes were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results showed that the farming system significantly influenced type B trichothecenes concentration in grain, with the highest concentration established in ORG-grown wheat. However, the grain concentration from the INT farming system was comparable to that from CONV. Type A trichothecenes concentrations were low and not significantly affected by the farming system. Bran exhibited the highest ergosterol and mycotoxin concentration, while flour and bread exhibited the lowest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases pose a major threat to both life expectancy and quality of life worldwide, and a concerning level of disease burden has been attained, particularly in middle- and low-income nations. Several drugs presently in use lead to multiple adverse events. Thus, it is urgently needed to develop safe, affordable, and effective management of cardiovascular diseases. Emerging evidence reveals a positive association between polyphenol consumption and cardioprotection. Whole wheat grain and allied products are good sources of polyphenolic compounds bearing enormous cardioprotective potential. Polyphenolic extract of the entire wheat grain contains different phenolic compounds viz. ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, apigenin, quercetin, luteolin, etc. which exert cardioprotection by reducing oxidative stress and interfering with different toxicological processes. The antioxidant capacity has been thought to exert the cardioprotective mechanism of wheat grain polyphenolics, which predominantly suppresses oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis by downregulating several pathogenic signaling events. However, the combined effect of polyphenolics appears to be more prominent than that of a single molecule, which might be attained due to the synergy resulting in multimodal cardioprotective benefits from multiple phenolics. The current article covers the bioaccessibility and possible effects of wheat-derived polyphenolics in protecting against several cardiovascular disorders. This review discusses the mechanistic pharmacology of individual wheat polyphenols on the cardiovascular system. It also highlights the comparative superiority of polyphenolic extracts over a single phenolic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive modelling methodology is proposed to describe wheat seeds using the discrete element method. By analysing the geometrical characteristics of wheat seeds, the multi-sphere approach is employed to establish 7-, 11-, 15-, 19-, and 23-sphere models based on ellipsoids. The physical and mechanical characteristics of wheat grain are measured and calibrated. Then, the proposed model is verified with several assessment criteria by contrasting the results of the experiment and simulation, including the wheat seed volume fraction, static angle of repose, hopper discharge, rotating drum and "self-flow screening". By balancing the accuracy of the multi-sphere model and computational efficiency, the 7-sphere or 11-sphere model is found to be the optimal model for determining the static stacking behaviour and hopper discharge of wheat seeds. For the rotating drum and the "self-flow screening", there is a considerable discrepancy between the simulation and experimental findings due to the surface roughness of the 7- and 11-sphere models. However, 15-, 19-, and 23-sphere models show a high accuracy, which can be applied for drying seeds of the rotating drum and accurately reproducing the sieve permeability of the "self-flow screening" experiment. In summary, the proposed multi-sphere method can be extended to related industry fields by demonstrating satisfactory accuracy in several validation tests. • A general multi-sphere modelling approach for wheat seed based on DEM is proposed. • DEM parameters of wheat grain are measured and calibrated. • Wheat grain experiments are conducted to verify the accuracy of the model. • Provides an effective guide for the validation of irregular particle models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of high pressure (0.1–600 MPa) and pulsed electric field (E = 3 and 6 kV cm−1) pretreatments on the moisture absorption properties of non‐hulled wheat grains were investigated. Microwave sensor was used as a non‐invasive technique for determination of the moisture content. The results demonstrated that high pressure soaking (>100 MPa) of wheat grains significantly increased the water uptake. High pressure soaking (600 MPa) decreased the water uptake due to the starch gelatinization and as a result appearance of structural changes. Compared to control samples, PEF‐pretreated samples showed a sharp increase of water absorption at the initial process with a further reduction of equilibrium water content. Peleg's water absorption model was adapted to the measured data of non‐hulled wheat grains. Results showed a good prediction of Peleg's equation in all experiments, which gave the possibility for estimation of initial water absorption rate and equilibrium moisture content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to assess the impacts of a mixture of deoxynivalenol (DON) and ergot alkaloids (EAs) on growth performance, rumen function, blood parameters, and carcass traits of feedlot cattle. Forty steers (450 ± 6.0 kg) were stratified by weight and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments; control-low (CON-L), control-high (CON-H) which contained low or high wheat screenings that lacked mycotoxins at the same level as the mycotoxin-low (MYC-L; 5.0 mg/kg DON, 2.1 mg/kg EA), and mycotoxin-high (MYC-H: 10 mg/kg DON, 4.2 mg/kg EA) diets that included wheat screening with mycotoxins. Steers were housed in individual pens for a 112-day finishing trial. Intake was 24.8% lower (P < 0.001) for MYC steers compared to CON steers. As a result, average daily gains of MYC steers were 42.1% lower (P < 0.001) than CON steers. Gain to feed ratio was also lower (P < 0.001) for MYC steers compared to CON steers. Platelets, alanine aminotransferase, globulins, and blood urea nitrogen were lower (P ≤ 0.008), and lymphocytes, glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were elevated (P ≤ 0.002) in MYC steers compared to CON steers. Hot carcass weights and backfat thickness were reduced (P < 0.001) in MYC steers, resulting in leaner (P < 0.001) carcasses and higher (P < 0.007) meat yield compared to CON steers. Results suggest that a mixture of DON and EAs negatively impacted health, performance, and carcass traits of feedlot steers, with the majority of this response likely attributable to EAs. However, more research is needed to distinguish the relative contribution of each mycotoxin to the specific responses observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat, being a crucial global food crop, holds immense significance for food safety and agricultural economic stability, as the quality and condition of its grains are critical factors. Traditional methods of wheat grain detection are inefficient, and the advancements in deep learning offer a novel solution for fast and accurate grain recognition. This study proposes an improved deep learning model based on YOLOv8n, referred to as YOLO-SDL, aiming to achieve efficient wheat grain detection. A high-quality wheat grain dataset was first constructed, including images of perfect, germinated, diseased, and damaged grains. Multiple data augmentation techniques were employed to enhance the dataset’s complexity and diversity. The YOLO-SDL model incorporates the ShuffleNetV2 architecture in its backbone and combines depthwise separable convolutions (DWConv) with the large separable kernel attention (LSKA) mechanism in its neck structure, significantly improving detection speed and accuracy while ensuring the model remains lightweight. The results indicate that YOLO-SDL achieves superior performance in wheat grain detection, balancing lightweight design and performance optimization. The model achieved a P of 0.942, R of 0.903, mAP50 of 0.965, and mAP50-95 of 0.859, with low computational complexity, making it suitable for resource-constrained environments. These findings demonstrate the efficiency of the ShuffleNetV2, DWConv, and LSKA structures. The proposed YOLO-SDL model provides a new technical solution for agricultural automation and serves as a reliable reference for detecting other crops.

BACKGROUND: Wheat grain containers or silos can be perfect habitats for insects, which generate large economic losses to grain production. Natural alternatives to synthetic insecticides have grown in popularity because of health, economic and ecological issues. Diatomaceous earth is a natural compound that has an insecticide effect by enhancing an insect's dehydration with no toxicity on mammals including humans. The aim of this study is to confirm the effect of diatomaceous earth as an insecticide for the wheat grain pest, the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and demonstrate its underlying mechanisms as an insecticide by open‐flow respirometry and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Survival bioassays of T. castaneum revealed a dose‐dependent insecticide effect of diatomaceous earth. Gravimetric measurements showed that 2 days exposure to diatomaceous earth produces a significant increase of mass loss. Open‐flow respirometry measurements showed an increase of total water emission rate on insects due to an increase of both, respiratory and cuticular water loss. Our study revealed that diatomaceous earth produces an increase of insect's cuticle permeability, which is responsible for elevated cuticular water loss. Scanning electron microscopy images provided visual evidence of the lipid absorbent properties of diatomaceous earth particles, and showed a tendency for higher, although not significant, damaged area of the cuticle's surface from diatomaceous earth treated insects compared to control ones. CONCLUSION: With state‐of‐the art techniques like open‐flow respirometry and scanning electron microscopy, we demonstrated the underlying mechanism of diatomaceous earth as an insecticide and provided new cues for understanding the properties of the cuticle and its ecological importance. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, more and more attention has been paid to applications of non-thermal plasma in agriculture, where it is used to decontaminate various microorganisms and to improve the seed germination. In this study, we present the results of a newly developed point-to-ring NTP transient spark discharge apparatus (NTP), plasma activated water (PAW) and their combined treatment on Durum wheat and Common wheat grains under laboratory conditions. Transient spark discharge treatment was used as direct treatment while indirect treatment of wheat grains was performed by PAW produced in point-to-plane NTP transient spark apparatus. We found that the degree of grain surface decontamination was in order NTP > PAW > combined treatment. In the case of Durum wheat grain germination, all treatments increased germination with increasing exposure times, while in the case of Common wheat, PAW treatment and combined treatment did not significantly increase the grain germination. In conclusion, plasma treatment has enormous potential for use in agriculture and its possibilities need to be fully explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional foods enriched with plant polyphenol anthocyanins attract particular attention due to their health-promoting properties, including antitumor activity. We evaluated the effects of a grain diet rich in anthocyanins in a mouse model of Lewis lung carcinoma. Mice of the C57BL/6 strain were fed with wheat of near-isogenic lines differing in the anthocyanin content for four months prior to tumor transplantation. Although a significant decrease in the size of the tumor and the number of metastases in the lungs was revealed in the groups with both types of grain diet, the highest percentage of animals without metastases and with attenuated cell proliferation in the primary tumor were observed in the mice with the anthocyanin-rich diet. Both grain diets reduced the body weight gain and spleen weight index. The antitumor effects of the grain diets were associated with the activation of different mechanisms: immune response of the allergic type with augmented interleukin(IL)-9 and eotaxin serum levels in mice fed with control grain vs. inhibition of the IL-6/LIF system accompanied by a decrease in the tumor-associated M2 macrophage marker arginase 1 gene mRNA levels and enhanced autophagy in the tumor evaluated by the mRNA levels of Beclin 1 gene. Thus, anthocyanin-rich wheat is suggested as a promising source of functional nutrition with confirmed in vivo antitumor activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The role of lncRNA and circRNA in wheat grain development is still unclear. The objectives of this study were to characterize the lncRNA and circRNA in the wheat grain development and to construct the interaction network among lncRNA, circRNA, and their target miRNA to propose a lncRNA–circRNA–miRNA module related to wheat grain development. Full transcriptome sequencing on two wheat varieties (Annong 0942 and Anke 2005) with significant differences in 1000-grain weight at 10 d (days after pollination), 20 d, and 30 d of grain development were conducted. We detected 650, 736, and 609 differentially expressed lncRNA genes, and 769, 1054, and 1062 differentially expressed circRNA genes in the grains of 10 days, 20 days and 30 days after pollination between Annong 0942 and Anke 2005, respectively. An analysis of the lncRNA–miRNA and circRNA–miRNA targeting networks reveals that circRNAs exhibit a more complex and extensive interaction network in the development of cereal grains and the formation of grain shape. Central to these interactions are tae-miR1177, tae-miR1128, and tae-miR1130b-3p. In contrast, lncRNA genes only form a singular network centered around tae-miR1133 and tae-miR5175-5p when comparing between varieties. Further analysis is conducted on the underlying genes of all target miRNAs, we identified TaNF-YB1 targeted by tae-miR1122a and TaTGW-7B targeted by miR1130a as two pivotal regulatory genes in the development of wheat grains. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed the target regulatory relationships between miR1130a-TaTGW-7B and miR1122a-TaNF-YB1. We propose a network of circRNA and miRNA-mediated gene regulation in the development of wheat grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum) is a severe pathogen threatening the safety of agriculture and food. This study aimed to explore the antifungal efficacies of several plant-derived natural compounds (vanillin and its derivatives) against the growth of F. graminearum and investigate the antifungal mechanism of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (HMB), the strongest one. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of HMB in inhibiting mycelial growth was 200 µg/mL. HMB at MIC damaged cell membranes by increasing the permeability by about 6-fold (p < 0.05) as evidenced by propidium iodide (PI) staining. Meanwhile, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glycerol was increased by 45.91 and 576.19% by HMB treatment at MIC, respectively, indicating that lipid oxidation and osmotic stress occurred in the cell membrane. Furthermore, HMB exerted a strong antitoxigenic role as the content of deoxynivalenol (DON) was remarkably reduced by 93.59% at MIC on 7th day. At last, the antifungal effect of HMB against F. graminearum was also confirmed on wheat grains. These results not only revealed the antifungal mechanism of HMB but also suggested that HMB could be applied as a promising antifungal agent in the preservation of agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach to determining the friabilin content of wheat grain was proposed. Electropherograms were taken, and the intensity of the friabilin bands was compared in the analyzed wheat cultivars and the cv. Chinese Spring. The friabilin content indicator was calculated in the grain of 17 common wheat cultivars, which differed mostly in their crude protein content and hardness index (HI). The basic properties of the kernels were measured in each wheat cultivar, and the correlations between the measured parameters and the friabilin content indicator were determined. In the analyzed wheat cultivars, the friabilin content indicator ranged from around 0.21 to around 0.77. This indicator was significantly correlated with the kernel length, thickness, mass, vitreousness, HI, and rupture force. The strongest correlation was observed between the friabilin content indicator and kernel length. An increase in the mean kernel length from around 5.4 mm to around 8.0 mm decreased the friabilin content indicator by approximately 51%. After the mean kernel length had been calculated in a given wheat cultivar, a certain value of the friabilin content indicator could be ascribed to this cultivar, and the energy consumption during grain grinding or milling could be partly predicted. In the group of analyzed wheat cultivars, the process of grain grinding would be the most energy-intensive in the cvs. Ceres, SMH200, and SMH214 and the least energy-intensive in the cvs. Chinese Spring, Julius, and Askalon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the EU is focusing on less intensive agrotechnology and sustainable development. It is important to minimize the occurrence of mycotoxins (including Fusariotixins) in food, and to monitor mycotoxin concentration in the food chain. Therefore, this study evaluated Fusarium mycotoxin contamination, specifically type A and B trichothecenes and ergosterol concentration, in wheat grain from a three-year field experiment (2019–2021) conducted at IUNG-PIB in Osiny (Poland), along with its byproducts (bran, flour, bread). Four wheat cultivars were grown under different farming systems: organic (ORG), integrated (INT), and conventional (CONV). Ergosterol was analyzed using HPLC with an absorbance detector while Type A and B trichothecenes were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results showed that the farming system significantly influenced type B trichothecenes concentration in grain, with the highest concentration established in ORG-grown wheat. However, the grain concentration from the INT farming system was comparable to that from CONV. Type A trichothecenes concentrations were low and not significantly affected by the farming system. Bran exhibited the highest ergosterol and mycotoxin concentration, while flour and bread exhibited the lowest.

The concept of modern nutrition involves the presence of the maximum amount of nutrients, including vitamins, essential amino acids, carotenoids, natural antioxidants, minerals, phenolic and tannin compounds, organic acids, and dietary fibre, which is why the food industry is interested in developing wholegrain products based on crops such as wheat, rye, barley, triticale, buckwheat, corn, and rice. The purpose of the study is to evaluate wholegrain flour using modern production technologies and control its quality, which will lead to a new level of development in the Ukrainian food industry and ensure increased profitability of the flour milling and baking industries. Methods used in the study: theoretical – analysis, synthesis, comparison and generalisation; experimental – identification and measurement to determine the physicochemical, organic, grinding, flour-milling and baking quality indicators of wholegrain wheat flour. Characterising the experimental data of different types of wholegrain flour, it was established that the content of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre or fibres, mineral content, and easily hydrolysed carbohydrates (starch, hemicellulose) were in the range of 84.7-88.8%, 10.2-16.3%, 0.9-1.7%, 2.3-4.8%, 1.2-3.2%, and 77.5-84.2%, respectively. Indicators such as ash content and flour size directly depended on the grinding scheme and the integrity of all anatomical grain particles. The technology of wholegrain wheat flour production combines the advantages of existing milling methods with minimising the adverse effect on the qualitative and quantitative gluten content, which varied from 21% to 36% in wholegrain flour samples, and the gluten deformation index ranged from 53.8 to 81.7 units. The materials of the study are of practical significance and indicate the need for further research, since when assessing the quality indicators and examining the characteristics of wholegrain wheat flour, attention should be devoted to the further development of optimal technology for the production of bread from this raw material

The article presents the data on the quantitative and qualitative composition of micromycetes of wheat grain grown in the Polissya region. During the research period, an average of 2.88-104 ± 3.62-103 colony forming units (CFU) per 1 g of grain was found in wheat grain samples collected in the Polissya region. Twenty species of microscopic fungi belonging to 9 genera were isolated from the wheat grain of the Polissya zone. Among them were the genera Alternaria (92.5 %), Mucor (92.5 %), Aspergillus (83.0 %), Penicillium (47.2 %), Fusarium (60.4 %), Phoma (15,.1 %), Mycelia (15.1 %), Trichotecium (1.9 %) and Monascus (1.9 %) of the samples. Aspergillus niger (17.0 %), Aspergillus candidus (9.4 %), and Aspergillus terreus (1.9 %) were detected less frequently among Aspergillus. Fusarium spp. (17.0 %), Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium semitectum in (5.7 %), and Fusarium culmorum (3.8 %) of the samples were identified among Fusarium. A smaller number of microscopic fungi species represents the endophytic mycobiota of wheat grain. Among the isolates of micromycetes isolated from the Polissya zone, pure cultures were obtained from F. sporotrichiella var. tricinctum isolate 1218/4, and F. sporotrichiella isolate 1218/5. These isolates were atoxic against the test culture Candida pseudotropicalis strain 44 PC, but F. sporotrichiella var. tricinctum 1218/4 produced a growth retardation zone with Rf 0.05 and produced an unidentified trichothecene mycotoxin (TTMT). Among the isolated fungi, Aspergillus flavus isolate 1219/3 and Aspergillus flavus isolate 1221/1 were the first to produce kojic and aspergillic acids and the second to synthesize penicillic and aspergillic acids. To reduce the negative effect of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol on the body of chickens of the meat and egg breed Adler Silver, the birds were fed the sorbent “Mikosorb”. It was found that when added to the diet, the sorbent “Mikosorb” in the amount of 2.0 % of the total feed weight reduces the negative effect of deoxynivalenol on the body of chickens of the experimental group. This was confirmed by a 12.0 % reduction in bird mortality. Feeding “Microsorb” in the amount of 2.0 % by weight of complete feed contributed to an increase in the average daily weight gain of poultry during the experiment by 5.43 % compared to the experimental group that consumed feed with the toxin deoxynivalenol (DON). During the experiment, the birds of the experimental group No. 2 consumed 28.91 kg of feed more than group No. 2. Feeding the sorbent “Mikosorb” in the amount of 2.0 % of the feed weight to chickens of the meat and egg breed Adler silver contributes to an increase in gross weight gain by 9.69 kg during the experiment. The use of “Mikosorb” in the technology of feeding chickens of experimental group No. 2 contributed to an increase in the profitability of poultry production by up to 12.0 % compared to poultry that consumed feed affected by DON toxin. After analyzing the scientific results from the literature and our research results, we concluded that the abovementioned studies on wheat grain should be carried out throughout Ukraine during harvesting and storage in warehouses or storages.

Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum) is a severe pathogen threatening the safety of agriculture and food. This study aimed to explore the antifungal efficacies of several plant-derived natural compounds (vanillin and its derivatives) against the growth of F. graminearum and investigate the antifungal mechanism of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (HMB), the strongest one. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of HMB in inhibiting mycelial growth was 200 μg/mL. HMB at MIC damaged cell membranes by increasing the permeability by about 6-fold (p

The partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic manure is an important strategy for improving agricultural sustainability. However, its effect on heavy metal (HM) pollution and its potential risk to human health remain unclear. Therefore, a field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of partial organic fertilizer substitution (0, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) on health risks posed by HMs, including Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb, As, and Cr. The results showed that organic fertilizer substitution significantly increased Cu, Cd, Pb, and As accumulations in the soil. The Zn, Cu, Pb, and As contents were significantly higher in grains grown under organic fertilizer substitution (40%) conditions. The HM contents in the soil and grains were below the safety threshold limits in all treatments. Furthermore, the health risk caused by the exposure to As, Cu, and Zn accounted for 86% of the hazard index (HI) value. The HI value was significantly greater at a substitution ratio of 40% than in the no-nitrogen fertilizer treatment. Ingestion of the wheat grains grown at substitution ratios ≥ 30%) increased the carcinogenic risk of As and the total carcinogenic risk. In conclusion, organic fertilizer substitution at high ratios significantly increased the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with ingesting wheat grain. The optimal organic fertilizer substitution ratio (20%) maintained crop yields and improved soil fertility without increasing the non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks to human health. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the impacts of optimal organic fertilizer management in wheat growing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to extend grain's storage time and ensure its quality, it is necessary to sort and clean it. The aim of this study was to justify the rational shape of the sorting chamber and the optimal technological parameters for the sorting of wheat grains in airflow. This study used newly designed grain sorting chambers with constant, widening, and narrowing cross-sections for the airflow sorting of "Skagen" wheat grain. The aerodynamic properties of wheat grains were investigated when moisture was at 14 ± 2.0%. The grain flow rate in the chambers varied from 4 to 12 kg min−1 every 2 kg min−1. In addition, the airflow velocity varied from 8 to 12 m s−1 every 1 m s−1. The tilt angle of the constant cross-section camera was increased to 5°. Experimental studies have determined a terminal airflow velocity of 11.53 m s−1 for wheat grains. At the terminal airflow velocity, the grain flight coefficient was obtained to be about 0.074. These studies showed that the narrowing chamber is preferable for lower grain flow rates compared to the constant cross-section of the chamber. The widening chamber requires a lower airflow velocity to achieve the same performance and quality as the other chambers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mannan is a class of cell wall polysaccharides widespread in the plant kingdom. Mannan structure and properties vary according to species and organ. The cell walls of cereal grains have been extensively studied due to their role in cereal processing and to their beneficial effect on human health as dietary fiber. Recently, we showed that mannan in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain endosperm has a linear structure of β-1,4-linked mannose residues. The aim of this work was to study the biosynthesis and function of wheat grain mannan. We showed that mannan is deposited in the endosperm early during grain development, and we identified candidate mannan biosynthetic genes expressed in the endosperm. The functional study in wheat was unsuccessful therefore our best candidate genes were expressed in heterologous systems. The endosperm-specificTaCslA12 gene expressed in Pichia pastoris and in an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant depleted in glucomannan led to the production of wheat-like linear mannan lacking glucose residues and with moderate acetylation. Therefore, this gene encodes a mannan synthase and is likely responsible for the synthesis of wheat endosperm mannan.

Agronomic biofortification of crops is a promising approach that can improve the nutritional value of staple foods by alleviating dietary micronutrient deficiencies. Iodine deficiency is prevalent in many countries, including Australia, but it is not clear what foliar application strategies will be effective for iodine fortification of grain. This study hypothesised that combining adjuvants with iodine in foliar sprays would improve iodine penetration in wheat, leading to more efficient biofortification of grains. The glasshouse experiment included a total of nine treatments, including three reference controls: 1) Water; 2) potassium iodate (KIO3) and 3) potassium chloride (KCl); and a series of six different non-ionic surfactant or oil-based adjuvants: 4) KIO3 + BS1000; 5) KIO3 + Pulse® Penetrant; 6) KIO3 + Uptake®; 7) KIO3 + Hot-Up®; 8) KIO3 + Hasten® and 9) KIO3 + Synerterol® Horti Oil. Wheat was treated at heading, and again during the early milk growth stage. Adding the organosilicon-based adjuvant (Pulse®) to the spray formulation resulted in a significant increase in grain loading of iodine to 1269 µg/kg compared to the non-adjuvant KIO3 control at 231µg/kg, and the water and KCl controls (both 51µg/kg). The second most effective adjuvant was Synerterol® Horti Oil, which increased grain iodine significantly to 450µg/kg. The Uptake®, BS1000, Hasten®, and Hot-Up® adjuvants did not affect grain iodine concentrations relative to the KIO3 control. Importantly, iodine application and the subsequent increase in grain iodine had no significant effects on biomass production and grain yield relative to the controls. These results indicate that adjuvants can play an important role in agronomic biofortification practices, and organosilicon-based products have a great potential to enhance foliar penetration resulting in a higher translocation rate of foliar-applied iodine to grains, which is required to increase the iodine density of staple grains effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

his study optimised the conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of defatted wheat germ protein (WGP) and evaluated its effect on the functional properties. Single-factor and orthogonal experiment designs were combined to optimise the UAE extraction condition. The extraction of WGP reached the highest level, at 88.66%, with a solid : liquid ratio of 1 : 25 g.mL-1, pH value of 9.0, ultrasonic time of 10 min, and ultrasonic power at 400 W. Under these conditions, albumin, globulin, prolamin, and glutenin accounted for 32.26, 28.52, 5.42, and 22.40% of total protein, respectively. In addition, this study compared the functional properties of WGP extracted by UAE with the results based on a commercially available soy protein (SP) isolate (SPI). The UAE of WGP had better oil absorption, foaming, and emulsifying properties. Therefore, UAE is a promising technique for food protein extraction because it can change the protein efficiencies and properties of the extract.

Through literature review, the study compares the effects of diverse fertilization types (mineral, organic, and mineral-organic) on wheat grain and rape seed quality parameters. It was emphasized that balanced fertilization of plants is essential for maximizing yield while maintaining its high technological quality, and that the technological value of wheat grain and rape seeds depends primarily on the genetic characteristics of their cultivars. In addition to genetic traits, the qualitative characteristics of the generative yield are significantly influenced by agrotechnical treatments, including fertilization. The amount and type of fertilizer applied directly translates into the volume and quality of the crop, determining its subsequent use (e.g. for consumption, fodder or energy purposes). It was noted that particular attention is paid in the scientific literature to nitrogen fertilization and its impact on the yield and technological value of the feedstock. Much less emphasis is placed on the impact of fertilization with other mineral nutrients. This study reviews the literature to compare the effects of different types of fertilization (mineral, organic, and mineral-organic) on the qualitative parameters of wheat grains and rape seeds. The most important quality parameters of wheat and oilseed rape were presented in this paper. They were yield, protein content, gluten content and quality, starch content, and sedimentation index for wheat, and yield, erucic acid content, oiliness, and glucosinolate content for oilseed rape. This review proves that there is a need for greater focus on the use of combinations of organic and mineral fertilizers. Reducing fertilizer use while maintaining or even improving seed yield and quality is an ongoing environmental and economic challenge. This can make sustainable production and agriculture more environmentally friendly, especially in the face of climate change. Moreover, constant increase of wheat and rapeseed production is crucial for satisfying diverse needs of a growing global population, e.g. to ensure food security, support industries, and promote sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the data on the quantitative and qualitative composition of micromycetes of wheat grain grown in the Polissya region. During the research period, an average of 2.88-104 ± 3.62-103 colony forming units (CFU) per 1 g of grain was found in wheat grain samples collected in the Polissya region. Twenty species of microscopic fungi belonging to 9 genera were isolated from the wheat grain of the Polissya zone. Among them were the genera Alternaria (92.5 %), Mucor (92.5 %), Aspergillus (83.0 %), Penicillium (47.2 %), Fusarium (60.4 %), Phoma (15,.1 %), Mycelia (15.1 %), Trichotecium (1.9 %) and Monascus (1.9 %) of the samples. Aspergillus niger (17.0 %), Aspergillus candidus (9.4 %), and Aspergillus terreus (1.9 %) were detected less frequently among Aspergillus. Fusarium spp. (17.0 %), Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium semitectum in (5.7 %), and Fusarium culmorum (3.8 %) of the samples were identified among Fusarium. A smaller number of microscopic fungi species represents the endophytic mycobiota of wheat grain. Among the isolates of micromycetes isolated from the Polissya zone, pure cultures were obtained from F. sporotrichiella var. tricinctum isolate 1218/4, and F. sporotrichiella isolate 1218/5. These isolates were atoxic against the test culture Candida pseudotropicalis strain 44 PC, but F. sporotrichiella var. tricinctum 1218/4 produced a growth retardation zone with Rf 0.05 and produced an unidentified trichothecene mycotoxin (TTMT). Among the isolated fungi, Aspergillus flavus isolate 1219/3 and Aspergillus flavus isolate 1221/1 were the first to produce kojic and aspergillic acids and the second to synthesize penicillic and aspergillic acids. To reduce the negative effect of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol on the body of chickens of the meat and egg breed Adler Silver, the birds were fed the sorbent "Mikosorb". It was found that when added to the diet, the sorbent "Mikosorb" in the amount of 2.0 % of the total feed weight reduces the negative effect of deoxynivalenol on the body of chickens of the experimental group. This was confirmed by a 12.0 % reduction in bird mortality. Feeding "Microsorb" in the amount of 2.0 % by weight of complete feed contributed to an increase in the average daily weight gain of poultry during the experiment by 5.43 % compared to the experimental group that consumed feed with the toxin deoxynivalenol (DON). During the experiment, the birds of the experimental group No. 2 consumed 28.91 kg of feed more than group No. 2. Feeding the sorbent "Mikosorb" in the amount of 2.0 % of the feed weight to chickens of the meat and egg breed Adler silver contributes to an increase in gross weight gain by 9.69 kg during the experiment. The use of "Mikosorb" in the technology of feeding chickens of experimental group No. 2 contributed to an increase in the profitability of poultry production by up to 12.0 % compared to poultry that consumed feed affected by DON toxin. After analyzing the scientific results from the literature and our research results, we concluded that the abovementioned studies on wheat grain should be carried out throughout Ukraine during harvesting and storage in warehouses or storages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This work was based on a 40-year fertilization experiment to reveal the effect of organic amendments on the accumulation of heavy metals in soils and wheat grains. The results indicated that long-term application of organic amendments changed the accumulation of heavy metals in grains mainly by affecting soil chemical properties and wheat yields rather than soil heavy metals. Organic amendments have been widely used in agricultural practices to improve soil quality and crop yield, but it may lead to heavy metals (HMs) accumulation in the soil when livestock manure is applied. Currently, reports on the effects of organic amendments on HMs enrichment in crop grains are conflicting. Materials and methods: Soils and wheat grains were collected from a 40-year fertilization experiment in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain in China to determine the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and As under different fertilization regimes. Additionally, soil chemical properties, available HMs contents, and wheat yields were measured to identify the main factors controlling grain HMs accumulation. Results and discussion: The results showed that, compared to non-fertilized soil, the 40-year application of swine manure markedly increased soil Cu and Zn by 113.5% and 92.3%, respectively; and cattle manure increased soil Cu, Zn, and Cd by 19.2%, 16.7%, and 102.6%, respectively. Straw amendment led to lower Zn content in the soil. Conversely, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, and As in wheat grains were significantly reduced by the application of organic amendments, whereas higher grain Cd was observed in the straw amendment treatment. The partial least squares path model indicated that wheat yield was positively correlated with soil chemical properties, and thus had a strong negative effect on grain Cu, Zn, and As (direct path coefficient = − 0.8541), whereas soil HMs had relatively weak effects. Redundancy analysis further illustrated that alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen was the primary influencing factor among soil chemical properties, which explained 44.2% of the variation in grain HMs and negatively correlated with the concentrations of Cu, Zn, and As in wheat grains. Soil pH was negatively correlated grain Cd concentration and explained 40.8% of the grain HMs variation. Conclusions: Long-term application of livestock manure reduces the accumulation of Cu, Zn, and As in wheat grains by promoting soil chemical properties and wheat yields, while straw amendment increases grain Cd mainly due to lower soil pH. Soil HMs had weak effect on grain HMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agronomic biofortification of crops is a promising approach that can improve the nutritional value of staple foods by alleviating dietary micronutrient deficiencies. Iodine deficiency is prevalent in many countries, including Australia, but it is not clear what foliar application strategies will be effective for iodine fortification of grain. This study hypothesised that combining adjuvants with iodine in foliar sprays would improve iodine penetration in wheat, leading to more efficient biofortification of grains. The glasshouse experiment included a total of nine treatments, including three reference controls: 1) Water; 2) potassium iodate (KIO3) and 3) potassium chloride (KCl); and a series of six different non-ionic surfactant or oil-based adjuvants: 4) KIO3 + BS1000; 5) KIO3 + Pulse® Penetrant; 6) KIO3 + Uptake®; 7) KIO3 + Hot-Up®; 8) KIO3 + Hasten® and 9) KIO3 + Synerterol® Horti Oil. Wheat was treated at heading, and again during the early milk growth stage. Adding the organosilicon-based adjuvant (Pulse®) to the spray formulation resulted in a significant increase in grain loading of iodine to 1269 µg/kg compared to the non-adjuvant KIO3 control at 231µg/kg, and the water and KCl controls (both 51µg/kg). The second most effective adjuvant was Synerterol® Horti Oil, which increased grain iodine significantly to 450µg/kg. The Uptake®, BS1000, Hasten®, and Hot-Up® adjuvants did not affect grain iodine concentrations relative to the KIO3 control. Importantly, iodine application and the subsequent increase in grain iodine had no significant effects on biomass production and grain yield relative to the controls. These results indicate that adjuvants can play an important role in agronomic biofortification practices, and organosilicon-based products have a great potential to enhance foliar penetration resulting in a higher translocation rate of foliar-applied iodine to grains, which is required to increase the iodine density of staple grains effectively.

Major malnutrition in Bangladesh is zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) deficiency as most people commonly depend on cereals, chiefly rice and wheat. The main objectives are to enhance Zn and Fe concentrations through the use of selected varieties and the application of respective fertilizers. Field experiments were conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) farm, Mymensingh (AEZ 9, non-calcareous soil) and at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) substation, Ishwardi (AEZ 11, calcareous soil) for two consecutive wheat seasons (2014–15 and 2015–16) with 10 varieties and 15 advanced lines. Varieties BARI Gom 25, 27, 28 & 29 and breeding lines Vijay, HPYT-5, 15 & 21 and BL-1883 have been recognized as Zn-enriched wheat varieties (24–30 μg g−1). Among the genotypes, Zn further increased by 4–8 μg g−1 due to Zn fertilization. Concerning Fe-enriched wheat genotypes (24–30 μg g−1), five varieties viz. Shatabdi, Prodip, BARI Gom 25 & 28 and Sufi, and four lines such as HPYT-12, BL-1883, BL-1040 and Fery-60 have been identified. The grain Fe concentration of wheat genotypes increased when Fe was added, the increment being 6–12 μg g−1. A positive relationship between Zn and N is observed with increased protein content. The grain yield of wheat was increased by 3.8–25.7% due to Zn application over the varieties and locations but Fe addition had no effect. The result of the current study showed that a potential breeding line with appropriate fertilization can improve Zn and Fe levels in wheat grain, without incurring loss to wheat yield.

The main aim: to develop the universal integrated methodology and statistical-simulation model for long-term forecasting the content of toxic chemical elements in grain crop yields. Objects. The study was based on the system approach and carried out by the example of wheat cultivated in Altai Krai – one of the main grain-producing regions of Russia. Wheat crops were sampled in 10 municipal districts with different climatic conditions. A total of 19 chemical elements (Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Zn, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P) content was studied. It is shown that concentrations of Pb (lead), Cr (chrome), Cu (copper) and Na (sodium) in wheat grain depend on climatic characteristics of the cultivation area. Methods. Regression dependences of the element content on the long-term average values of monthly air temperature and precipitation were established. Based on a regional age-long climatic cycle, normalization and spatial generalization of air temperature and precipitation providing the uniform dynamics of their relative monthly values (in percent) throughout the study region, a forecast of their changes by 2030 was made. Results. A procedure for grain sampling, GIS technologies for processing meteorological and cartographic data, methods for predicting climate changes and establishment of quantitative relationships of chemical elements content in grain with climatic characteristics – all together make up the methodology that allows developing the predictive model for toxic substance present in wheat. The model was used for estimation of Pb, Cr, Cu and Na changes in wheat grain by 2030. The content of other elements in wheat weakly correlate with long-term changes in air temperature and precipitation; therefore, it can hardly change significantly. After 2030, concentrations of Pb, Co (cobalt) and Cr in wheat delivered to elevators from some municipal districts will exceed their maximum allowable levels for bread-grain.

This article deals with the problem of loose materials, i.e., wheat grain, when transported by belt conveyors with cover belts. For the purpose of further research, experimental measurements of the deflections of a conveyor belt with loose material were carried out on a self-built laboratory test device. The mechanical contact between the wheat and the belt could be suitably approximated using an elastic foundation. The measured data were evaluated and used to obtain functional relationships for the compressibility moduli of the bilateral Winkler elastic foundation. The obtained relationships were further stochastically processed using the Monte Carlo method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare energy and nutrient digestibility, 3 diets including 95 % AC Gehl hull-less oats, CDC Utmost VB wheat or nitrogen-free were fed to 8 ileal cannulated pigs (30.2 ± 2.2 kg) over 3 periods (Exp. 1). To evaluate effects on growth performance, 160 weaned pigs (7.7 ± 0.4 kg) were fed 4 nursery diets over 28 days (Exp. 2). AC Gehl hull-less oats replaced CDC Utmost VB wheat at 0/3, 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3. Hull-less oats contained less fibre, more fat, Lys, Arg, Leu, Val but less Glu and Pro than wheat. In Exp. 1, feeding hull-less oats resulted in greater (P < 0.05) coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) and coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, digestible energy and predicted net energy value than wheat. Although CAID and coefficient of standardised ileal digestibility (CSID) of crude protein and most amino acids (AA) were lower (P < 0.05) for pigs fed hull-less oats, CAID of Lys and most SID AA content were greater than wheat (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, feeding hull-less oats replacing wheat did not affect weekly pen average daily feed disappearance, average daily weight gain or body weight; however, overall gain-to-feed ratio decreased (P = 0.001) linearly (0.01 g/g per each 1/3 replacement). In conclusion, feeding AC Gehl hull-less oats resulted in lower CAID (except Lys) and CSID of AA, but greater SID AA content thus can fully replace CDC Utmost VB wheat grain in weanling pig diets without affecting most production parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic manure is an important strategy for improving agricultural sustainability. However, its effect on heavy metal (HM) pollution and its potential risk to human health remain unclear. Therefore, a field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of partial organic fertilizer substitution (0, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) on health risks posed by HMs, including Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb, As, and Cr. The results showed that organic fertilizer substitution significantly increased Cu, Cd, Pb, and As accumulations in the soil. The Zn, Cu, Pb, and As contents were significantly higher in grains grown under organic fertilizer substitution (40%) conditions. The HM contents in the soil and grains were below the safety threshold limits in all treatments. Furthermore, the health risk caused by the exposure to As, Cu, and Zn accounted for 86% of the hazard index (HI) value. The HI value was significantly greater at a substitution ratio of 40% than in the no-nitrogen fertilizer treatment. Ingestion of the wheat grains grown at substitution ratios ≥ 30%) increased the carcinogenic risk of As and the total carcinogenic risk. In conclusion, organic fertilizer substitution at high ratios significantly increased the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with ingesting wheat grain. The optimal organic fertilizer substitution ratio (20%) maintained crop yields and improved soil fertility without increasing the non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks to human health. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the impacts of optimal organic fertilizer management in wheat growing systems.

A deficiency of zinc (Zn) is ubiquitous causing threat of Zn malnutrition worldwide, especially, due to reliance on Zn-poor cereal-based diets. As a principal staple grain, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is consumed by 40% of global population. The wide gap between the available Zn concentration in wheat grain (20–35 mg kg−1) and that required Zn for human health (45 mg kg−1), urges the need for biofortification. Agronomic biofortification is a feasible and economic intervention strategy for mitigation of Zn deficiency or malnutrition by increasing Zn concentration and bioavailability in edible parts of cereals with increased yield; though there are bottlenecks at the root-shoot barrier and in grain filling. This review explores the reasons to enhance grain Zn bioavailability, and the role of fertilizer management on agronomic biofortification of wheat with Zn. Foliar, or soil + foliar application of Zn salts can increase the Zn concentration ≤60 mg kg−1 in whole wheat grain. The Zn-nanocarrier (Zn-Chitosan Nanoparticles) has higher Zn-use efficiency, than zinc sulfate. Grain Zn accumulation is regulated by Zn remobilization from shoot and continuous uptake during the grain filling of wheat. Foliar Zn application early during grain filling improves Zn transport in the endosperm, which is the main consumable grain fraction. Relevantly, newer-released cultivars exhibit Zn-Fe antagonism, may challenge a combined loading of Zn and Fe in cereal grains, but biofortification does not intend a trade-off between two. Consequently, the efficacy of Zn-biofortification needs to be studied using distinct biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some wheat cultivars show a linear relationship between grain protein concentration (GPC) and baking volume, but others display a saturation curve. Such a saturation curve could be general, but in some cultivars it might only appear at GPC > 17%. However, such GPC is mostly not achieved in the field. Pot experiments with high nitrogen application reliably result in GPC > 17%. In a pot experiment with a high (N1) and an excessive N level (N2) and four cultivars (Akteur, Arnold, Discus and Hystar), the change in grain protein composition and the relationship between different protein fractions and baking volume at GPC > 17% was investigated. GPC ranged from 17 to 24% and mean nitrogen content per grain from 1.2 to 1.8 mg. The N2 treatment increased GPC and mean nitrogen content per grain in the Akteur and Discus cultivar, but not in Arnold and Hystar. N2 increased concentration of gliadin by 10 to 34% and glutenin macropolymer (GMP) in all cultivars by 12 to 73%. Glutenin concentration was increased by N2 in Akteur and Discus (19 to 36%), but was decreased by N2 in the Arnold and Hystar cultivar. Baking volume was moderately increased by N2 in all cultivars by 6 to 9% and correlated significantly with most glutenin fractions in the Akteur and Discus cultivar, with GMP in Arnold and with HMW-GS to LMW-GS ratio in Hystar. Thus, specific effects on grain protein by N2 were responsible for the increased baking volume in each cultivar. However, as gliadin and its sub-fractions hardly correlated with baking volume, a positive effect of increasing gliadin proteins on baking quality was not obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat plants are subject to the impact of a complex of pathogenic agents, which include over ten species of diverse etiological and pathological nature, as key objects of economic importance, that annually cause serious damage, such as: Ustilago tritici; Tilletia caries; T. foetida; Puccinia recondita; P. glumarum; P. graminis; Erysiphe graminis; Fusarium graminearum; Septoria tritici, S. graminum; Helminthosporium tritici-repentis. The fungicidal remedies Camporo 25 EC, Custodia 320 SC and Sizaro ES fungicides have been tested against the diseases detected in winter wheat plantations. The efficiency of these new remedies with anti-fungal action was proved depending on the doses applied and the severity of the disease, as compared with the standard control. Camporo 25 EC and Custodia 320 SC, Sizaro ES fungicides are recommended as efficient chemical products in the integrated protection system of winter wheat. The frequency and intensity of the attack of pathogens, in 2021-2022, ranged between 10 and 45%, depending on environmental factors, and the biological efficiency of the new remedies tested on experimental plots as fungicides was 90-93%, at the level of the standard variant, comparing the variants and doses applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boring pests such as Sitophilus zeamais (S. zeamais) are major threats in grain storage. However, how these pests affect the proteins of stored grains remains largely unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the effect of S. zeamais infestation on wheat protein during postharvest storage. In this study, wheat grain infested by S. zeamais was sampled at egg (4 d), larval (20 d), pupal (35 d), and adult stages (45 d), respectively. The protein's physicochemical and structural properties and the edible quality of whole wheat noodle were analyzed. The results showed that S. zeamais infestation significantly decreased the quality of wheat protein by altering its constitution and structure properties. Especially, compared with the control, the content of wet and dry gluten, gluten index, sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation volume, sulfhydryl groups, and disulfide bonds in insect-infested wheat decreased by 19.40, 5.42, 18.40, 8.12, 29.13, and 14.30%, respectively, during the storage period of one life cycle of S. zeamais. Additionally, the proportions of wheat protein fractions (albumin [1.16-fold], globulin [0.96-fold], gliadin [1.16-fold], and glutenin [0.95-fold]) and secondary structures (α-helix [0.91-fold], β-fold [0.96-fold], β-turn [1.06-fold], and random coil [1.05-fold]) of protein changed significantly, and the gluten network structure was broken in S. zeamais-infested wheat. Furthermore, the color of whole wheat noodle became darker, cooking loss rate increased, and textural properties (hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and resilience) decreased as well. The results in the present study provided new insights for analyzing the quality deterioration mechanism and further quality improvement of boring pests-infested wheat grain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitivity of reproductive stage to high temperature was investigated in twenty wheat genotypes (three tall traditional-C ones, seven elite-PBW ones, nine advanced-BWL ones and one landrace-Himachal Local 1) using various biochemical indices under high-temperature stress. Effect of high temperature on activities of antioxidant enzymes and contents of phenolic compounds in relation to transformation of free sugars to starch in developing grains of wheat genotypes was studied by raising the crop under timely sown (November) and late planting (December) conditions. During metabolomic profiling, it was confirmed that sugars, amino acids and proteins accumulated in different wheat genotypes under high temperature with decrease in starch content. Disruption of starch biosynthesis resulted in their favored utilization in nitrogen metabolism leading to higher amino acid and protein accumulation as depicted by the negative correlation between starch and proteins (p ≤ 0.05) under heat stress. Phenolic compounds, viz. total polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonols, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, were increased under stress conditions. Increase in polyphenolic content could be associated with the activation of phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme involved in shikimic acid pathway in wheat grains. A significant correlation (p ≤ 0.01) of total polyphenols and proanthocyanidins was observed with the activity of catalase (r = 0.59) and polyphenol oxidase (r = 0.27), respectively. Advanced lines, namely BWL 1664, 3504 and 6250, performed better with less decrease in yield under heat stress which was attributed to low reduction in starch content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was carried out in three vegetative seasons 2015/16, 2016/17, and 2018/19, on an experimental plot in Padinska Skela, Belgrade, Serbia. The supplement included four NPK treatments (kg ha−1) and foliar treatment with effective microorganisms (EM 7 l ha−1) T1-129: 60: 60; T2-129: 60: 60 + 1 EM; T3-106: 60: 60 + 2 EM ; T4-83: 60: 60 + 3 EM. Four wheat genotypes were sown (Ratarica, Pobeda, Nogal, and Apache). Thousand grain weight and grain yield were determined. The thousand grain weight (TGW) was in the variety Pobeda 43.73 g, and the highest grain yield was in the variety Ratarica 7.02 tha−1. Both varieties are medium late, bread varieties. The treatments have different effects on the studied variables. The TGW was the highest in the T2 treatment of 40.81 g and the grain yield in T3 of 6.62 t ha−1, which was at the level of statistical significance of p > 0.01. The crude protein content was highest in the treatment of T2 13.93% (p > 0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three-dimensional (3D) morphological information of wheat grains is an important parameter for discriminating seed health, wheat yield, and wheat quality. High-throughput acquisition of 3D indicators of wheat grains is of great importance for wheat cultivation management, genetic breeding, and economic value. Currently, the 3D morphology of wheat grains still relies on manual investigation, which is subjective, inefficient, and poorly reproducible. The existing 3D acquisition equipment is complicated to operate and expensive, which cannot meet the requirements of high-throughput phenotype acquisition. In this paper, an automatic, economical, and efficient method for the 3D morphometry of wheat grain is proposed. A line laser binocular camera was used to obtain high-quality point-cloud data. A wheat grain 3D model was constructed by point-cloud segmentation, finding, clustering, projection, and reconstruction. Based on this, 3D morphological indicators of wheat grains were calculated. The results show that the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the length were 0.2256 mm and 2.60%, the width, 0.2154 mm and 5.83%, the thickness, 0.2119 mm and 5.81%, and the volume, 1.7740 mm3 and 4.31%. The scanning time was around 12 s and the data processing time was around 3.18 s under a scanning speed of 25 mm/s. This method can achieve the high-throughput acquisition of the 3D information of wheat grains, and it provides a reference for in-depth study of the 3D morphological indicators of wheat and other grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assesses impact of malting process duration on malting losses and quality of malts obtained from three varieties of winter wheat, i.e., Elixer, Rockefeller and Gimantis. The findings show that increased duration of the malting process (from 4 to 7 days) corresponded to greater total weight loss, with the most significant differences observed between 5-day and 6-day wheat malts. The qualitative analysis of the malts was carried out in accordance with EBC methodology. The assessments showed that the 5-day long malting process applied to the relevant wheat varieties resulted in production of high-quality malt with optimum malting losses observed in the case of Elixer and Rockefeller varieties. Slightly higher malting losses were identified in the case of Gimantis, and the malt obtained from this variety had very high contents of soluble protein (on average 5.34% d.m.) and Kolbach Index (average of 50.49%), which reflects high proteolytic activity during the grain malting process and a need to modify the malting process for this variety.

In spite of the fact that the majority of registered wheats (Triticum aestivum L.) belonging to cultivars suitable for baking applications, more than 60% of annual Czech wheat production is utilized for feeding. Regarding this fact, a proper extrusion process may offer an improvement of grain feeding quality. The study was aimed at monitoring of grain quality parameter changes in extruded wholemeal from three technologically contrasting cultivars (Elixier, Bodyček, Cimrmanova raná) obtained after 8 different combinations of extrusion processes with variation in water dosage and insertion diameter. Technologically different wheat cultivars significantly changed extrusion temperature. Simultaneously, the extrusion process significantly increased RDS content in starch (from 36 to 86%). On the contrary, the parameters CP and ADF content showed minimal changes after extrusion. The mild reduction of CF and NDF after extrusion probably included hemicellulose degradation. It is possible to conclude that the applied extrusion processes showed comparable effect in all 3 contrasting wheat cultivars on the one hand. On the other hand, the selection of a proper wheat cultivar with suitable grain composition can also bring a further progress in the final quality of extrudates.

Excessive accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s in agricultural environment usually originates from anthropogenic activities. Both large diversities of emission sources and complexity of plant accumulation challenge the understanding of the site-specific effects of emission sources on heavy metal(loid)s in wheat grains. Herein, both soil samples and wheat grain samples (n = 80) were collected from the farmland of Jiyuan City, China. Soil and grain burdens of heavy metal(loid)s were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and/or X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The quotients (Q) were developed to indicate relative impacts of industrial plants and traffic to soil sites. Principal component analysis-absolute principal component scores-multivariate linear regression (PCA-APCS-MLR) analysis was conducted to reveal the source contributions to heavy metal(loid)s in grains, considering Q values, soil, and wheat grain data. Results showed that contributions of main sources and factors drastically varied with soil sites, and usually overlapped to different extents. For grain Cd and grain Pb, natural soil silicate (0.066/0.104 mg/kg) and iron-bearing minerals (− 0.044/ − 0.174 mg/kg) contributed to high extents, while metal smelting activities (0.018/0.019 mg/kg) and agronomic activities (− 0.017/ − 0.019 mg/kg) unexpectedly posed low or moderate contributions. The pH-mediated availability of soil Cd (0.035 mg/kg) and the sand-dust weather (0.028 mg/kg) also made considerable contributions to grain Cd. For grain As, both natural soil iron-bearing (− 0.048 mg/kg) and silicate minerals (− 0.013 mg/kg) made negative contributions. The results benefit to the decision-making of pollution remediation of farmland soils in the regional scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of the study is the treatment of wheat grain with an electromagnetic field (EMF) of extremely low frequencies (ELF), the subjects of the study are the quality indicators of wheat seed grain of the Shestopalivka variety 2019 and 2020 crops grown in the Odesa region (Ukraine). Problematic issues in the treatment of wheat grain with ELF EMF are the rationale for the duration of treatment of grain and the frequencies of EMF that improves the quality of seeds. The studies used methods of laboratory determination of seed quality indicators, calculation of statistical characteristics of the length of sprouts, and graphical methods for interpreting the results of studies. The studies substantiated the modes of treatment wheat grain with ELF EMF, which improves the quality of seeds and reduces the energy intensity of treatment. The effect of the duration of grain treatment and the frequency of EMF on the germination and characteristics of the length of seed shoots was studied. It has been established that, compared with untreated grain, the treatment of grain with an EMF with a frequency of 30 Hz, a magnetic induction of 10 mT for 6 minutes increases grain germination by 2–3 %, gives longer and 1.44–1.53 times more uniformly sprouted sprouts. Treatment within 60 min. reduces up to 9 % the germination of grain, the size of the shoots, increases their unevenness in length. The effect of seed germination activation by EMF treatment increases after 19 days of storage. Treatment of wheat grain in 2019 with ELF EMF at a frequency of 15–17 Hz with a magnetic induction of 10 mT for 6 min. changes germination within ±3 % control. The germination of the treated grain of wheat in 2020 of the crop decreases relative to the control to 13 % (with the exception of the frequency of 16.5 Hz, at which it did not change). Thus, the treatment of wheat grain with EMF makes it possible to influence the quality of seed grain. The results obtained encourage further research with a wider range of regime parameters and areas of wheat cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]