Composition and Functional Properties of Apogee and Perigee Compared to Common Terrestrial Wheat Cultivars

Abstract

Long duration space missions may include dwarf wheat cultivars to meet closed-loop food system constraints. Composition and functional properties of dwarf wheats (Apogee, Perigee) were characterized and compared to terrestrial cultivars (Parshall, Yecora Rojo, Yavaros 79). Proximate composition was determined using standard methods, and functional attributes were evaluated by mixograph and pasting profiles. Additional analyses measured antioxidant capacity, protein profiles, non-protein nitrogen, lipid oxidation, and starch damage. Apogee and Perigee were compositionally and functionally different from traditional cultivars, having higher protein (18-20%), ash (2-2.4%), and antioxidant (Perigee had 23.7 µmol Trolox equivalent/g), and lipid oxidation levels but lower protein quality indicators. There was significant correlation (R 2 = 0.84) between ash content and lipid oxidation. Apogee is a better candidate crop than Perigee for a self sustaining environment, but both dwarf varieties could be used for tailored food applications.

Effects of Low Dose Gamma-Radiation on Select Wheat Properties

“…Lipid oxidation increased with increasing radiation exposure for Apogee, Perigee, and Parshall (Table 2), the cultivars in this study with the highest levels of lipids and crude ash. [10] Lipid oxidation significantly increased in Yavaros 79 from 0 to 1 Gy, but increasing radiation beyond 1 Gy, up to 100 Gy, had no further effect on lipid oxidation in this cultivar ( Table 2). In Apogee, oxidation increased 52% from 0 to 1 Gy, 99.3% from 0 to 10 Gy, and 342.8% from 0 to 100 Gy.…”

“…[33] Apogee, Perigee, and Parshall have the three smallest berry sizes and therefore highest surface area per gram of wheat of the five cultivars tested. [10] The surface to volume ratios of these cultivars are higher than the cultivars with more stable antioxidant capacities, suggesting that increased radiation exposure of the bran and aleurone fractions increases the amount of antioxidant degradation.…”

“…Proximate analysis of these cultivars revealed that the protein concentrations in Apogee (18.4%) and Perigee (17.9%) were higher than Yecora Rojo (13.1%), Yavaros 79 (13.7%), and Parshall (16.9%). [10] Maire and others [21] investigated proteins exposed to high doses of radiation (0-400 kGy) and concluded that proteins contain sites that are susceptible to radiation-induced breakage. These fragile sites were located close to the C-terminal portion of the protein, and the susceptibility of proteins to radiation-induced fragmentation occurred independent of their size.…”

“…[7,8] While growth conditions have been characterized, further analysis of these cultivars must be conducted to characterize the protein, lipid, and starch functionalities, antioxidant capacities, and food uses. [9,10] Furthermore, studies must be conducted after exposure to radiation to determine how these characteristics could be affected by radiation that will be encountered in space. Because wheat could be shipped as a bulk ingredient, effects of radiation on a variety of wheats used for food production are also important to characterize.…”

Can Lunar and Martian Soils Support Food Plant Production? Effects of Horse/Swine Monogastric Manure Fertilisation on Regolith Simulants Enzymatic Activity, Nutrient Bioavailability, and Lettuce Growth

“…Optimisation of scarce resources, such as selected plant nutrients and water in space, required crop design to address allometric relations between above-ground plant parts. The increase in harvest index was targeted [ 13 , 19 ] by choosing appropriate species or creating dwarf varieties, such as the short life cycle of Apogee and Perigee wheats [ 20 ]. Allocation of resources to roots, though, received little attention in space plant research.…”