Mineral composition of durum wheat grain and pasta under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations

Abstract

The concentrations of 10 minerals were investigated in the grain of 12 durum wheat genotypes grown under free air CO₂ enrichment conditions, and in four of their derived pasta samples, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Compared to ambient CO₂ (400ppm; AMB), under elevated CO₂ (570ppm; ELE), the micro-element and macro-element contents showed strong and significant decreases in the grain: Mn, -28.3%; Fe, -26.7%; Zn, -21.9%; Mg, -22.7%; Mo, -40.4%; K, -22.4%; and Ca, -19.5%. These variations defined the 12 genotypes as sensitive or non-sensitive to ELE. The pasta samples under AMB and ELE showed decreased mineral contents compared to the grain. Nevertheless, the contributions of the pasta to the recommended daily allowances remained relevant, also for the micro-elements under ELE conditions (range, from 18% of the recommended daily allowance for Zn, to 70% for Mn and Mo).

Keywords: Durum wheat; Free air carbon dioxide enrichment; Mineral content; Pasta.