Comparison of Nutritional Compounds in Premature Green and Mature Yellow Whole Wheat in Korea

ABSTRACT Until now few comparisons of nutritional compounds in premature green and mature yellow wheat have been reported. In this study, the contents of amino acids, vitamins, mineral compounds, phytosterols, and fatty acids as well as the proximate composition of premature green and mature yellow wheat were investigated. Premature green wheat had lower protein content (12.0 g/100 g db) and higher dietary fiber content (19.3 g/100 g db) than mature yellow wheat (13.6 and 14.3 g/100 g db for protein and dietary fiber, respectively). Despite a small difference in total amino acids, protein in premature wheat had a significantly greater proportion of essential amino acids: 16.1, 39.9, and 32.7 mg/g of protein for methionine, lysine, and threonine, respectively. Furthermore, the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid scores of whole grain premature green and mature yellow wheat were 62.8 and 46.4, respectively, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). Total fatty acids content was 2.66 g/100 g db for p...