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Characterisation of cereal grain from organic and conventional farming – application of protein profiling techniques and analysis of individual compounds
Project
Project code: 02OE069
Contract period: 01.10.2005
- 31.10.2007
Budget: 158,504 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Organic and conventional wheat originating from the DOK-field trail (Swizterland) was comprehensively characterised to detect possible biochemical differences. Employed were the profiling techniques proteomics and metabolomics. Additionally, individual compounds were determined. Metbolite profiles and analysis of individual compounds revealed only small differences in organic and conventional DOK-wheat. Statistically significant differences occurred mostly in one of two analysed crops, except for total protein content, which was lower in organic farming in crops of both years. The observed variations were in the range reported for wheat. With protein profiling, obtained using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, image analysis and protein identification, we were able to detect relative levels of approximately 1,000 proteins in wheat. The relative levels of 16 proteins were clearly different between organic and conventional wheat in both years. This array of 16 'diagnostic' proteins was found to be appropriate to discriminate organic and conventional DOK-wheat. In a future step, it is to be tested if this signature is fit to distinguish organic and conventional wheat originating from different growing regions and different cultivars.
Considering the complexity of plant metabolism, the relatively small variations in protein levels do not indicate changes in parameters critical with respect to human nutrition. Generally the significant reduction of total protein content is not favourable, but in light of the average 'Western' diet is not considered critical. In summary, our results of protein profiling, metabolite profiling and analysis of individual compounds lead us to conclude that, with respect to the analysed parameters, food quality of conventional and organic DOK-wheat is equal.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
- Organic Farming
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
