Anthocyanin composition and nutritional properties of a blue-grained wheat-Triticum boeoticum substitution line

Diploid wild einkorn wheat, Triticum boeoticum Boiss (AbAb, 2n = 2x = 14), provides a resource of blue aleurone layers for wheat breeding. The anthocyanin composition and nutritional quality of the blue-grained wheat-Triticum boeoticum introgression line Z18-1244 were compared with those of its T. boeoticum parent G52 and bread wheat parent Crocus. The results showed that the content of all four anthocyanins averaged 67.24 μg/g in the whole meal of the blue-grained wheat Z18-1244, which was slightly lower than that in G52 (72.31 μg/g) but significantly higher than that in Crocus. The total essential amino acid content in Z18-1244 was 48.03% higher than that in Crocus. Compared with Crocus, the protein nutritional quality of Z18-1244 was improved, including an SRC increased by 5.31% and an EAAI increased by 22.70%. The contents of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) in the mineral elements were 74.5 mg/kg and 109.7 mg/kg with increases of 39.34% and 109.65%, respectively. The nutritional quality of Z18-1244 has been considerably improved in comparison with its common wheat parent Crocus. Therefore, Z18-1244 could be used as a potential germplasm for wheat breeding to improve the nutritional value of wheat-based end-products.