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

Publications

10 25 50
 
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