Journal of Cereal Science
Volume 38, Issue 2 , September 2003, Pages 189-197

Phytosterol analysis and characterization in spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.) and wheat (T. aestivum L.) lipids by LC/APCI-MS*1

Raoul Rozenberga, Nike L. Ruibal-Mendietab, Géraldine Petitjeanc, Patrice Canid, Dominique L. Delacroixe, Nathalie M. Delzenned, Marc Meurensb, Joëlle Quetin-Leclercqc and Jean-Louis Habib-Jiwan, , a

a Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse, Université catholique de Louvain, Pl. L. Pasteur 1, Louvain-la-Neuve 1348, Belgium
b Unité de Biochimie de la Nutrition, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2/8, Louvain-la-Neuve 1348, Belgium
c Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, Université catholique de Louvain, Av. E. Mounier 72, Bruxelles 1200, Belgium
d Unité de Pharmacocinétique, Métabolisme, Nutrition et Toxicologie, Université catholique de Louvain, Av. E. Mounier 73, Bruxelles 1200, Belgium
e Moulin de Hollange, Rue de Chaumont 5, Fauvillers 6637, Belgium

Abstract

Spelt is still a minor cereal crop, mainly grown in Belgium. It is said to have a better nutritive value than winter wheat. Moreover, interesting functional properties have traditionally been attributed to spelt, such as a cholesterol-lowering effect. However, such properties are not substantiated by scientific evidence. Considering their physiological effects, phytosterols could partly account for spelt's properties and have never been studied in this cereal. Phytosterols were analysed by LC/APCI-MS in spelt and winter wheat fine bran, a lipid and fibre-rich milling by-product. Sample preparation was suitable for the determination of glycosylated and free sterols, combined to their released counterparts after saponification. Chromatographic retention times, full mass spectra and MS2 spectra of 12 reference sterols allowed the characterization of phytosterols present in cereal samples.

Author Keywords: Spelt; Wheat; Cereal lipids; Phytosterols; LC/MS

Abbreviations: APCI, atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation; ASG, acylated steryl glycoside; FA, fatty acid; FS, free sterol; GC, gas chromatography; HSE, hydroxycinnamate steryl ester; LC, liquid chromatography; MS, mass spectrometry; SE, steryl fatty acid ester; SG, steryl glycoside