Nike L. Ruibal-Mendieta

Phytosterol analysis and characterization in spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp spelta L.) and wheat (T aestivum L.) lipids by LC/APCI-MS

Spelt is still a minor cereal crop, mainly grown in Belgium. It is said to have a better nutritive value than winter wheat. Moreover, interesting functional properties have traditionally been attributed to spelt, such as a cholesterol-lowering effect. However, such properties are not substantiated by scientific evidence. Considering their physiological effects, phytosterols could partly account for spelts properties and have never been studied in this cereal. Phytosterols were analysed by LC/APCI-MS in spelt and winter wheat fine bran, a lipid and fibre-rich milling by-product. Sample preparation was suitable for the determination of glycosylated and free sterols, combined to their released counterparts after saponification. Chromatographic retention times, full mass spectra and MS2 spectra of 12 reference sterols allowed the characterization of phytosterols present in cereal samples.