MINERAL COMPOSITION OF EMMER WHEAT (Triticum turgidum L. VAR. dicoccum) LANDRACES

Cereal grains play a key role in human nutrition. Maintaining adequate mineral content in wheat (Tritcum aestivum) grain is critically important for human nutrition. In this study, mineral elements [11 elements, chrome (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni). copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)] of 10 different local emmer wheat landraces grown in Develi town of Kayseri province were investigated. Experiments were conducted in factorial experimental design with three replications and two factors (10 landraces and 2 grain forms as of bare and spelt). Significant differences were observed in heavy metal contents of different grain forms and landraces. Average Cu, Fe, Mn. Se, Zn, As, Cd. Co, Cr, Ni and Pb contents of ground samples were respectively identified as 3.26, 5.83, 32.69, 0.025, 4.22, 0.027. 0.0382, 0.065, 1.14. 0.786 and 0.065 ppm. Mineral contents of spelt grains were greater than the mineral content of bare grains since the bran covering the grain is rich in minerals. It should be noted that in all emmer wheat samples, all mineral element levels were below the EU maximum allowed levels for cereals and cereal products intended for human consumption. These emmer wheat landraces could be used as parent materials in durum and bread wheat breeding programs.