Effect of growing conditions on proximate, mineral, amino acid, phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of wheatgrass from different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties

Wheatgrass juice powder (WJP) from four wheat varieties grown using soil, coco-peat with nutrient solution (CNS) and water (soaked (8 h), germinated (36 h) and harvested on 10th day) were examined for proximate composition, mineral, amino acid, phenolic (free and bound) composition and antioxidant properties. The yield, ash and protein contents of WJP ranged between 4.88-7.87%, 5.18-15.93% and 38.75-50.17%, respectively. The total phenolic, flavonoid, chlorophyll content (TCC) and antioxidant activity varied from 12.02 to 17.44 mg GAE/g, 4.38-10.10 mg QE/g, 3.01-5.63 mg/g, and 13.54-17.33 μmol TE/g, respectively. HD-3086 grown using soil exhibited highest antioxidant properties, TCC and Mg content. WJP of C-306 grown using CNS had abundant essential amino acids (AAs). Phenolic acids (ferulic, syringic and sinapic acids) and flavonoids (catechin, rutin, vitexin and isovitexin) and minerals (K, P, Ca, Mg, Na and Fe) were predominant in WJP. The AAs and free phenolics were more in CNS and soil grown WJP, respectively.

Keywords: Amino acids; Antioxidant properties; Growing conditions; Mineral composition; Phenolic compounds; Wheatgrass.