Anthocyanin biofortified black, blue and purple wheat exhibited lower amino acid cooking losses than white wheat

Biofortified colored wheat are known for their anthocyanin content. In the present study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography was used for the quantification of amino acids in black, purple, blue and white colored wheat flour and chapatti samples. Black and blue wheat flour and chapatti samples had higher total amino acid content, and nutrition index in comparison other flour and chapatti samples, while EAA content were similar among all flour and chapatti samples. In Asian countries, wheat is mainly consumed as chapattis and after chapatti cooking, average percent reduction in amino acid content in black, blue, purple and white wheat were 11.41, 12.4, 19.0, and 23.8%, respectively. White chapatti samples exhibited >20% losses in the contents of 14 amino acids, while black chapatti showed >20% losses in case of only one amino acid. The higher retention of amino acids in colored wheat might be due to the masking and protective effects of anthocyanins on proteins and amino acids from heating and oxidative damages. Hence, incorporation of colored wheat in diet can pose several nutritional and health advantages to the consumers.

Automated summary

Colored wheat, such as black and blue varieties, were found to have higher total amino acid content and lower amino acid losses after chapatti cooking compared to white wheat. Anthocyanins in colored wheat may provide protective effects on amino acids, resulting in several nutritional and health benefits for consumers.