Potential of chromosomes 7D and 7Hch for the enhancement of lutein esterification in wheat

Abstract

Endosperm colour of wheat grains is an important quality criterion in breeding programs (YPC, yellow pigment content). YPC is mainly due to carotenoids. Durum wheat is selected for high YPC for pasta production (Ficco et al. 2014). On the contrary, white flour is usually preferred for bread-making although new yellowish bread types are being producing from einkorn or tritordeum (xTritordeum Aschers. et Graeb .) (reviewed by Rodríguez-Suárez et al. 2010). Lutein is the main carotenoid present in the endosperm of wheat (Digesú et al. 2009) where the gen Phytoene synthase 1 (Psy 1) plays the main role in the determination of seed carotenoid content in grains (Ficco et al. 2014; Rodríguez-Suárez et al.2014). The development of wheat-alien translocations has allowed the enhancement of carotenoid content in durum wheat (Ceoloni et al. 2014). In this work we have investigated the effect of chromosomes 5Hch and 7Hch from H. chilense on total carotenoid content and lutein esterification profile.