Chemical characterization and biological effects of immature durum wheat in rats

A durum wheat cultivar, Simeto, was grown in experimental fields and samples were collected at various stages of development (from 9 to 45 days after flowering) to assess changes in chemical composition during maturation. Fructans, in particular low molecular weight fructo-oligosaccharides, accumulated in the first 2–3 weeks after anthesis. The cultivar was then grown in an open field and collected at 15 days after anthesis and at maturity 45 days after anthesis. Experimental diets containing 53% wholemeal from immature or mature wheat, were fed for 6 and 12 weeks to two groups of growing rats. Glutathione, vitamins C and E and total hydrophilic or lipophilic antioxidant concentrations were determined in mature and immature wholemeal. The effects of feeding immature and mature wheat diets for the two experimental periods on the immune system, antioxidant status and plasma lipids were studied. Feeding immature wheat increased the proliferation rates of lymphocytes, indicating a stimulating effect on the immune response, decreased the plasma triglycerides and cholesterol levels, indicating a positive effect on lipid profiles. Antioxidant concentrations in blood and lymphocytes did not change significantly.