Exploiting variation in wheat land races to optimise dietary fibre content and viscosity in commercial wheats
Lead Research Organisation:
Rothamsted Research
Department Name: Plant Biology & Crop Science
Abstract
Dietary fibre (DF) is an essential component of the diet with established health benefits. Soluble DF may also have unique benefits associated with its high viscosity. However, the daily intake in UK adults is substantially below recommended guidelines. Wheat is the most important source of DF in the UK, with bread providing 20% of the daily intake. Improving wheat DF is therefore an important target.
By contrast, high fibre and high viscosity are detrimental when wheat is used as feed for poultry and as raw material for alcohol production in distilling and biofuel plants.
We have identified wide variation in the amounts of total and soluble fibre in the Watkins collection of wheats which were collected across the world in the 1930s. This variation will be studied in more detail and tools developed to facilitate its exploitation to produce new wheat cultivars with improved end use properties, in collaboration with a major wheat breeder and with the Scotch Whisky Research Institute
By contrast, high fibre and high viscosity are detrimental when wheat is used as feed for poultry and as raw material for alcohol production in distilling and biofuel plants.
We have identified wide variation in the amounts of total and soluble fibre in the Watkins collection of wheats which were collected across the world in the 1930s. This variation will be studied in more detail and tools developed to facilitate its exploitation to produce new wheat cultivars with improved end use properties, in collaboration with a major wheat breeder and with the Scotch Whisky Research Institute
Organisations
| Description | 1. Detailed analyses have been carried out on the content and composition of dietary fibre in white flour of 34 Watkins lines grown in 4 years: this has provided data on the heritable of variation in composition. 2. 10 selected lines (five with high and five with low fibre) were provided to SWRI who demonstrated differences in alcohol yield. 3. Based on these results 4 lines have been grown with commercial control lines in field trials with 2 levels of nitrogen fertilisation. This material has been provided to SWRI to confirm the observed effects on alcohol yield.for detailed comparative studies. 4. A second year of field trials has been conducted to confirm the outcomes from the first year above. 5. Crosses between the selected Watkins lines and the UK cultivar Paragon are being studied in a new research project funded by a Flemish research foundation. |
| Exploitation Route | With breeding partner and supermarkets |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Healthcare |
| Description | Collaborators in KWS have developed high fibre breeding lines with good performance and processing quality. Used as a basis for new project "FIBRAXFUN" funded by Vlaanderen is ondernemem Strategic Basic Research (Belgium) |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Description | 1st International Wheat Congress, July 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Alison Lovegrove presented "Exploiting genetic diversity to improve fibre and other bioactive components" at the 1st International Wheat Congress, Saskatoon, Canada, 19th July 2019 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | press article BBConline |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists find secret to healthier white bread" BBC Online, 6th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-51404197 |
| Description | press article Bakery and Snacks |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists open avenue for manufacturers to one day produce a high fibre white bread R&D", Bakery and Snacks, 6th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2020/02/05/Scientists-open-avenue-for-manufacturers-to-one-d... |
| Description | press article Bakeryinfo.co.uk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists make white flour with twice the fibre content", Bakeryinfo.co.uk, 6th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://ct.moreover.com/?a=41313137719&p=2bp&v=1&x=4fxy2mFm7Anh9eczjzTw-Q |
| Description | press article BioPortfolio |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists prove high fibre white bread is possible", BioPortfolio , 7th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.bioportfolio.com/news/article/4216881/Scientists-prove-high-fibre-white-bread-is-possibl... |
| Description | press article FG Insight |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "High fibre wheat genes identified for healthier white bread" FG Insight, 5th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.fginsight.com/news/high-fibre-wheat-genes-identified-for-healthier-white-bread-102055 |
| Description | press article Farming UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | "High fibre wheat genes identified by UK scientists", Farming UK, 6th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.farminguk.com/news/high-fibre-wheat-genes-identified-by-uk-scientists_54918.html |
| Description | press article Food Navigator |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists open avenue for manufacturers to one day produce a high fibre white bread", Food Navigator, 6th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2020/02/05/Scientists-open-avenue-for-manufacturers-to-one-day... |
| Description | press article Hertfordshire Life (Online) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "A farmer's life in the 21st century", Hertfordshire Life (Online)10th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://ct.moreover.com/?a=41343218463&p=2bp&v=1&x=fnytI8zKY3Zjr3xxWA6gFA |
| Description | press article MailOnline |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Gene-edited wheat could lead to high-fibre white bread in UK", MailOnline. 5th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7970697/High-fibre-white-bread-sale-Britain-5-years-... |
| Description | press article New Food Magazine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists develop high fibre white flour to produce 'healthier white bread'", New Food Magazine, 6th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/104690/scientists-develop-high-fibre-white-flour-to-produce-hea... |
| Description | press article SeedQuest |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists prove that high fibre white loaf is possible - Group identifies parts of the genome that control fibre content of white flour, raising hope that products with be in shops within five years" SeedQuest, 5th Feb 2020 - Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=113803 |
| Description | press article The Amed Post |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Gene-edited wheat could lead to high-fibre white bread in UK", The Amed Post, 5th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://amedpost.com/gene-edited-wheat-could-lead-to-high-fibre-white-bread-in-uk/ |
| Description | press article The Amed Post |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "High-fibre white bread could be on sale in Britain within five years", The Amed Post, 6th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://amedpost.com/high-fibre-white-bread-could-be-on-sale-in-britain-within-five-years/ |
| Description | press article The Dundee Messsenger |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists find secret to healthier white bread", The Dundee Messenger, 6th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://dundeemessenger.co.uk/uk-news/scientists-find-secret-to-healthier-white-bread/ |
| Description | press article The Global Miller |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | publication article in The Global Miller "Scientists prove high fibre white bread is possible", 31st Jan 2020 - Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://gfmt.blogspot.com/2020/01/scientists-prove-high-fibre-white-bread.html |
| Description | press article The Scottish Farmer |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists working towards 'high fibre' white bread" The Scottish Farmer 2nd Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://gfmt.blogspot.com/2020/01/scientists-prove-high-fibre-white-bread.html |
| Description | press article i News |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "A white loaf that's as nutritious as brown bread could be available within five years" 5th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove, i News |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://inews.co.uk/news/health/white-loaf-brown-bread-nutrition-food-1386384 |
| Description | press article iflscience |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists Gene-Edited Wheat To Create High-Fiber White Bread That's Actually Good For You", I Fucking Love Science, 6th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/scientists-geneedited-wheat-to-create-highfiber-white-... |
| Description | press article, AgroPages.com |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists prove that high fibre white loaf is possible", AgroPages.com, 6th Feb 2020, Alison Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://news.agropages.com/News/NewsDetail---34027.htm |
| Description | press article, CPM Magazine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Scientists prove high fibre white bread is possible, CPM Magazine, 7th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://www.cpm-magazine.co.uk/2020/02/07/scientists-prove-high-fibre-white-bread-is-possible/ |
| Description | press article, Fijivillage.com |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists find secret to healthier white bread", Fijivillage.com, 9th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://fijivillage.com/news/Scientists-find-secret-to-healthier-white-bread-sr5k29/ |
| Description | press article, Food Management Today |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists discover the answer to high-fibre white bread", Food Management Today, 10th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.foodmanagement.today/scientists-discover-the-answer-to-high-fibre-white-bread/ |
| Description | press article, FoodIngredientsFirst |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | "The best thing since sliced bread? "High fiber white bread could be in supermarkets within five years," say researchers", FoodIngredientsFirst, 6th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/the-best-thing-since-sliced-bread-high-fiber-white-bread-c... |
| Description | press article, Genetic Literacy Project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Healthier white bread could be in stores by 2025, after genes controlling wheat fiber content identified, Genetic Literacy Project, 7th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://www.cpm-magazine.co.uk/2020/02/07/scientists-prove-high-fibre-white-bread-is-possible/ |
| Description | press article, LongRoom.com (2) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "High-fibre white bread could be on sale in Britain within five years", LongRoom.com, 6th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.longroom.com/discussion/1787137/high-fibre-white-bread-could-be-on-sale-in-britain-withi... |
| Description | press article, LongRoom.com(1) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "High-fibre white bread could be on sale in Britain within five years", LongRoom.com, 6th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.longroom.com/discussion/1787137/high-fibre-white-bread-could-be-on-sale-in-britain-withi... |
| Description | press article, MailOnline |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "High-fibre white bread could be on sale in Britain within five years", MailOnline, 6th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7970697/High-fibre-white-bread-sale-Britain-5-years-... |
| Description | press article, The BMJ |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | "Sixty seconds on.white bread", thebmj, 10th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m542.full |
| Description | press article, World Bakers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | "Scientists Prove High Fiber White Bread Is Possible", World Bakers, 7th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.worldbakers.com/ingredient/scientists-prove-high-fiber-white-bread-is-possible/ |
| Description | press article, foodprocessing.com.au |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | HospitalHealth: "Is this the best thing since sliced bread?", 10th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.foodprocessing.com.au/content/ingredients/article/is-this-the-best-thing-since-sliced-br... |
| Description | press article, iNews (2) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "White bread isn't as healthy as brown but it's no sin to love the taste", i News, 7th Feb 2020, A Lovegrove |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://inews.co.uk/news/health/white-bread-health-flavour-nutrition-analysis-sandwiches-1392268 |