Quantitative and qualitative study of spelt and wheat fibres in varying milling fractions

The fibre composition of four spelt genotypes and of three wheat genotypes was studied on three grindings: bran, whole bare grains flour for all genotypes, and whole hulled grains flour for spelt only. Insoluble fibre and soluble fibre contents were measured after removal of proteins, starch and ashes from the sample (Lee, Prosky, & De Vries, 1992). Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents were measured according to the same principles with different chemical degradations of the sample (Van Soest & Wine, 1967). Spelt and wheat bran and whole grain flour displayed significant statistical differences for hemicellulose and cellulose contents. Variability amongst the spelt genotypes was much higher than amongst the wheat genotypes. The study also highlighted the special profile of the true baking variety Ressac and the richness in fibres of the landrace 140. Finally, various methods of measurement were compared and a combination of these methods was proposed for cereal grains dietary fibre analysis.