Distribution of sitosteryl palmitate in the wheat grain/Pie Verteilung von Sitosterylpalmitat im Weizenkorn

Abstract

Sitosteryl palmitate content of most T. aestivum varieties is considerably higher than ^hat of T. durum. This sharp difference allows the semiquantitative determination of T, aestivum products when mixed with T. durum products such as semolina, flour or macaroni. Distribution of this substance in the wheat kernel has been investigated in order to check its influence on the estimated valúes for different products and mixtures» Nine fractions obtained by experimental milling, as well as the whole kernel, have been analize<? in three T. aestivum varieties and one T. durum. Puré germ and degerminated seed obtained by hand dissection also have been analized. A thin layer enromatography method on silica gel plates impregnated with silver nitrate, as previously described by us, has been employed in the sitosteryl palmitate determinations. Somewhat higher valúes are obtained for the germ as compared with endosperm, the content of the seed coats being lower. Considering the relative proportion of each fraction studied and their sitosteryl palmiíate content it can be concluded that variations within normal limits of extraction rate have no significant influence on sitosteryl palmitate content