Analysis of alkyl‐ and alkenylresorcinols in triticale, wheat and rye

Abstract

Alkyl‐ and alkenylresorcinols were extracted with acetone from whole kernels of wheat, rye and various triticales. The resorcinols were ethylated, analysed by GC on a capillary column and further identified by GC‐MS. Alkylresorcinols with chain lengths of C₁₅, C₁₇, C₁₉, C₂₁, C₂₃ and C₂₅ and pairs of isomeric C₁₇, C₁₉, C₂₁, C₂₃ and C₂₅ alkenylresorcinols were quantified in all samples. The content of alk(en)ylresorcinols was highest in rye, intermediate in triticale and lowest in wheat. The relative composition of the resorcinols differed between grains, with a higher content of the C₁₉ alkylresorcinol in rye and of the C₂₁ alkylresorcinol in wheat.Wheat and three lines of triticale were harvested at three stages of maturity after the grain filling period was ended (water content ∼40,30 and 20%). During this period of time the gross chemical composition, water extract viscosity, and content and relative composition of the alk(en)ylresorcinols, were relatively constant.