Quantification and comparison of gliadin proteins in ancient wheats grown in rainfed and irrigated conditions

Protein quantification is crucial for assessing the nutritional and functional qualities of wheat. This study quantified the gliadin content, a major component of wheat storage proteins, in 24 wheat genotypes, including ancient varieties such as einkorn (Triticum monococcum), emmer (Triticum dicoccum), and spelt (Triticum spelta). These varieties were cultivated under rainfed and irrigated conditions in the Konya/Ilgın region of Türkiye. Gliadin proteins were extracted using a 70% ethanol solution to isolate the soluble fractions, which were subsequently analyzed using the Bicinchoninic Acid (BCA) assay. The results revealed significant variation in gliadin content among the genotypes. In general, samples grown under irrigated conditions exhibited higher protein concentrations compared to those grown under rainfed conditions. Among the varieties, Karahan (16339.07 µg mL-1) and Soana (15826.99 µg mL-1) had the highest protein contents under irrigated and rainfed conditions, respectively. These findings demonstrate the impact of both environmental and genetic factors on protein composition, highlighting the importance of ancient wheat varieties in sustainable agriculture and their potential to enhance modern dietary nutrition.