Einkorn wheat

Einkorn wheat ( Triticum monococcum , family Poaceae ) is an “ancient” hulled cereal historically cultivated in temperate areas. It is valued primarily for food use (flours, semolina-like fractions, baked goods, and pasta), for a distinctive sensory profile, and for a content of bioactive components that may vary depending on variety, soil, season, and milling processes.

From an application standpoint, its main relevance remains the food supply chain; however, as with other wheats, certain derivatives can also be used in cosmetics (for example hydrolyzed proteins or extracts), mainly with conditioning/sensorial functions.

Table 1. Identification data and specifications (indicative)

Raw material characteristics

The caryopsis of Triticum monococcum contains mainly starch, a variable share of proteins, and components of the fibrous fraction (especially in wholegrain flour). In processing, yield and rheological properties depend substantially on milling, extraction rate, and grain quality.

In the outer fractions (bran), a lipid portion is present, often with a contribution of unsaturated fatty acids, including monounsaturated fatty acids. From a nutritional standpoint, a higher intake of monounsaturated fats within the overall diet is generally associated with a more favorable lipid profile; statements such as “reduces the risk of arteriosclerosis and lowers cholesterol” should be interpreted as risk association within dietary patterns, not as a guaranteed direct effect of a single food.

Content and composition of bioactive compounds is reported to vary depending on the geographical location, seasonal variations, varieties used, and the analytical methods followed (1).

Table 2. Key constituents and compositional profile (indicative)

Main uses

Food: used in bread, baked goods, pasta, and preparations based on flour/milled fractions; dehulled grain can be used in soups and salads. The choice of product type (wholegrain vs refined) affects fiber, micronutrients, and technological performance. For the food chain, GMP (good manufacturing practice, good manufacturing practices) and HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control points, hazard analysis and critical control point system) requirements are central throughout milling and packaging.

Cosmetics: some wheat-based derivatives (for example hydrolyzed proteins or extracts) may be included in formulations to contribute to sensory feel and conditioning of skin or hair, depending on derivative quality and the supplier’s technical substantiation.

INCI functions: skin conditioning agent; hair conditioning agent; film former (depending on the derivative).

INCI Functions.

Industrial use: as with other cereals, starch and protein fractions may be used as functional bases in technical applications (thickeners/binders) when obtained as specific, standardized ingredients.

Cultivation

Cultivated in temperate contexts; yield and grain quality depend on variety, agronomic management, and seasonal conditions. In general, harvesting and post-harvest handling require attention to moisture and storage conditions to limit spoilage and contamination.

Environmental and safety considerations

Environmental impact: the overall impact depends on crop management (irrigation, fertilization, plant protection) and processing steps. Choosing controlled supply chains and efficient agronomic practices helps reduce waste and unnecessary inputs.

Safety: einkorn is an allergen for individuals with wheat allergy and is not suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, as it contains gluten-related proteins.

In the literature, the gliadin protein pattern of Triticum monococcum has been reported to be sufficiently different from that of common hexaploid wheat to result in lower toxicity in experimental models after in vitro simulation of human digestion (4). This does not imply clinical safety for celiac patients: it is an experimental indication of immunotoxicological differences that must be interpreted cautiously and does not change the recommendation to avoid gluten in celiac disease.

In food applications, controls for contaminants (e.g., mycotoxins) and correct storage are important. In cosmetics, the use of derivatives requires assessment of purity and irritation/sensitization potential based on the specific raw material.

Mini-glossary

SFA: saturated fatty acids; excessive dietary intake is associated with less favorable lipid profiles, while moderate amounts can fit within a balanced diet.
MUFA: monounsaturated fatty acids; generally associated with more favorable lipid profiles than SFA within an overall balanced diet.
PUFA: polyunsaturated fatty acids; include nutritionally useful families, but are more prone to oxidation and require good storage practices.
GMP: good manufacturing practice; a set of organizational and technical requirements to produce under controlled and reproducible conditions.
HACCP: hazard analysis and critical control points; a food safety management system based on hazard analysis and control of critical points.

Spelt studies

References______________________________________________________________________

(1) Dhanavath S, Prasada Rao UJS. Nutritional and Nutraceutical Properties of Triticum dicoccum Wheat and Its Health Benefits: An Overview. J Food Sci. 2017 Oct;82(10):2243-2250. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.13844.

(2) Srinivasa J, Arun B, Mishra VK, Singh GP, Velu G, Babu R, Vasistha NK, Joshi AK. Zinc and iron concentration QTL mapped in a Triticum spelta × T. aestivum cross. Theor Appl Genet. 2014 Jul;127(7):1643-51. doi: 10.1007/s00122-014-2327-6. 

Abstract. Ten QTL underlying the accumulation of Zn and Fe in the grain were mapped in a set of RILs bred from the cross Triticum spelta × T. aestivum . Five of these loci (two for Zn and three for Fe) were consistently detected across seven environments. The genetic basis of accumulation in the grain of Zn and Fe was investigated via QTL mapping in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population bred from a cross between Triticum spelta and T. aestivum. The concentration of the two elements was measured from grain produced in three locations over two consecutive cropping seasons and from a greenhouse trial. The range in Zn and Fe concentration across the RILs was, respectively, 18.8-73.5 and 25.3-59.5 ppm, and the concentrations of the two elements were positively correlated with one another (rp =+0.79). Ten QTL (five each for Zn and Fe accumulation) were detected, mapping to seven different chromosomes. The chromosome 2B and 6A grain Zn QTL were consistently expressed across environments. The proportion of the phenotype explained (PVE) by QZn.bhu-2B was >16 %, and the locus was closely linked to the SNP marker 1101425|F|0, while QZn.bhu-6A (7.0 % PVE) was closely linked to DArT marker 3026160|F|0. Of the five Fe QTL detected, three, all mapping to chromosome 1A were detected in all seven environments. The PVE for QFe.bhu-3B was 26.0 %.

(3) Gawlik-Dziki U, Świeca M, Dziki D. Comparison of phenolic acids profile and antioxidant potential of six varieties of spelt (Triticum spelta L.). J Agric Food Chem. 2012 May 9;60(18):4603-12. doi: 10.1021/jf3011239. 

 Abstract. Phenolic acids profile and antioxidant activity of six diverse varieties of spelt are reported. Antioxidant activity was assessed using eight methods based on different mechanism of action. Phenolic acids composition of spelt differed significantly between varieties and ranged from 506.6 to 1257.4 μg/g DW. Ferulic and sinapinic acids were the predominant phenolic acids found in spelt. Total ferulic acid content ranged from 144.2 to 691.5 μg/g DW. All analyzed spelt varieties possessed high antioxidant potential. In spite of the fact that bound phenolic acids possessed higher antioxidant activities, analysis of antioxidant potential and their relationship with phenolic acid content showed that free phenolics were more effective. Eight antioxidant methods were integrated to obtain a total antioxidant capacity index that may be used for comparison of total antioxidant capacity of spelt varieties. Total antioxidant potential of spelt cultivars were ordered as follows: Ceralio > Spelt INZ ≈ Ostro > Oberkulmer Rotkorn > Schwabenspelz > Schwabenkorn.

 (4) Gianfrani C, Camarca A, Mazzarella G, Di Stasio L, Giardullo N, Ferranti P, Picariello G, Rotondi Aufiero V, Picascia S, Troncone R, Pogna N, Auricchio S, Mamone G. Extensive in vitro gastrointestinal digestion markedly reduces the immune-toxicity of Triticum monococcum wheat: implication for celiac disease. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2015 Sep;59(9):1844-54. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201500126. 

 Gawlik-Dziki U, Świeca M, Dziki D. Comparison of phenolic acids profile and antioxidant potential of six varieties of spelt (Triticum spelta L.). J Agric Food Chem. 2012 May 9;60(18):4603-12. doi: 10.1021/jf3011239.

Abstract. Phenolic acids profile and antioxidant activity of six diverse varieties of spelt are reported. Antioxidant activity was assessed using eight methods based on different mechanism of action. Phenolic acids composition of spelt differed significantly between varieties and ranged from 506.6 to 1257.4 μg/g DW. Ferulic and sinapinic acids were the predominant phenolic acids found in spelt. Total ferulic acid content ranged from 144.2 to 691.5 μg/g DW. All analyzed spelt varieties possessed high antioxidant potential. In spite of the fact that bound phenolic acids possessed higher antioxidant activities, analysis of antioxidant potential and their relationship with phenolic acid content showed that free phenolics were more effective. Eight antioxidant methods were integrated to obtain a total antioxidant capacity index that may be used for comparison of total antioxidant capacity of spelt varieties. Total antioxidant potential of spelt cultivars were ordered as follows: Ceralio > Spelt INZ ≈ Ostro > Oberkulmer Rotkorn > Schwabenspelz > Schwabenkorn.

Mencin M, Mikulic-Petkovsek M, Veberič R, Terpinc P. Development and Optimisation of Solid-Phase Extraction of Extractable and Bound Phenolic Acids in Spelt (Triticum spelta L.) Seeds. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Jul 5;10(7):1085. doi: 10.3390/antiox10071085.

Abstract. A solid-phase extraction (SPE) technique was developed and optimised for isolation and concentration of extractable and bound phenolic acids from germinated spelt seeds, for analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Samples initially underwent solvent extraction under different conditions to maximise the yield of phenolic antioxidants. Optimal extraction conditions for extractable phenolics were absolute methanol as solvent, sample-to-methanol ratio 1:9, and reconstitution in non-acidified water. The bound phenolics were extracted from sample pellets using hydrolysis with 2 M NaOH, acidification of the hydrolysate with formic acid, and simultaneous isolation and purification using Strata X polymeric RP tubes. Compared to liquid-liquid extraction, this direct SPE protocol has significant advantages in terms of higher extraction efficiencies of total and individual phenolics and their antioxidant activities. These data suggest that direct SPE represents a rapid and reliable method for quantitative analysis of both the extractable and the commonly overlooked bound phenolics in Triticum spelta seeds.

Irmak S, Vapur H. Correlation of manganese contents of soils and wheat plants (Triticum spelta) in the Cukurova Region of Turkey. Pak J Biol Sci. 2008 Oct 1;11(19):2331-5. doi: 10.3923/pjbs.2008.2331.2335.

Abstract. In this study, the statistical analysis of manganese contents for soil, leaf and grain samples of the wheat plants, Triticum spelta, in the Cukurova Region of Adana in Turkey was performed to determine the relationship among the variables and correlation coefficients of manganese (Mn) contents. The soil samples were taken from the plant rhizosphere. Leaf samples at the stem elongation time and grain samples at the physiological maturity stage were analysed for Mn contents. The Mn contents of soil (MnS) were between 1.47 and 3.80 mg kg(-1), but the MnS of some samples were measured below the critical level of soil (1.00 mg kg(-1)). Whereas Mn contents of leaves (MnL) were obtained between 47.55 and 126.40 mg kg(-1). The Mn contents of grain (MnG) were obtained between 20.16 and 49.08 mg kg(-1). Direct correlation was found between MnL and MnG. But indirect correlations between was found MnS and MnG. Correlation between MnL and MnG was significant at the 0.01 level according to statistical analysis.

Wachowska, U., Rychcik, B., Mikołajczyk, W., & Sadowski, T. (2012). Health of spelt wheat (Triticum spelta) cultivated in ecological and conventional systems.

Abstract. In 2008-2010, in the area of north-eastern Poland, a field experiment was carried out in a randomised block design in three replications, in which spelt wheat of the Schwabenkorn cultivar was grown in ecological and conventional systems. The aim of the research was to assess the health condition of spelt wheat cultivated in the compared crop rotation systems. Symptoms of powdery mildew of cereals and grasses, septoria leaf blotch of wheat and wheat brown rust were observed on the leaves of spelt wheat. The intensity of those diseases was significantly dependent on the year of research. In 2008, lower leaves of spelt wheat showed prevailing symptoms of infection with Blumeria graminis and Puccinia recondita and in the other years of research they displayed symptoms of leaf infestation with Mycosphaerella graminicola. The average intensity of symptoms of powdery mildew of cereals and grasses was significantly lower in the ecological crop rotation than in the conventional crop rotation system. Symptoms of brown rust were most frequently observed in the ecological crop rotation system. The system of crop cultivation did not have a significant effect on the intensity of septoria leaf blotch of spelt wheat or the intensity of stem base diseases.

Kiš, D., Kalambura, S., Marić, S., Guberac, V., Jovičić, N., Guberac, S., & Slipčević, D. (2016). Spelt (Triticum spelta L.)-healthy food.

Abstract. Spelt (Triticum spelta L.), also known as dinkel wheat or hulled wheat, is one of the oldest known grains and it originates from Asia. It was known even to the Egyptians, the oldest findings of this type of wheat were found in the Nile valley and they date to the fourth millennium BC. This edible, chaff-like, type of wheat was used for food by the ancient Romans who grew it throughout the empire. This cereal was very important from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages in Europe. However, in recent times it has largely been replaced by other types of wheat (Triticum aestivum and Triticum durum). This grain has again started attracting attention in the past two decades because of the possibility of organic breeding, since it requires lesser use of fertilizers and pesticides compared to the common wheat. Due to the increasing awareness of consumers who pay more attention every day to the variety and quality of food, spelt is increasingly gaining importance with the tendency of multiplying sown areas so the goal of this study was to determine the nutritional characteristics of spelt shelled beans of studied varieties Bc Vigor and Ostro (water content, ash, starch, protein and crude fat) for  nutritional use.