Comprehensive Study of Lipophilic Compounds from Various Cereal Straws (Wheat, Triticale, Rye, and Tritordeum)─a Promising Source of Valuable Phytochemicals

The lipid compositions of wheat, triticale, rye, and tritordeum straws were thoroughly analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major lipophilic compounds identified included <i>n</i>-fatty acids (1185-3538 mg/kg), β-diketones (891-2043 mg/kg), steroid compounds (1358-1954 mg/kg), high molecular-weight esters (444-1560 mg/kg), and <i>n</i>-fatty alcohols (402-1825 mg/kg). Additionally, smaller amounts of <i>n</i>-alkanes (140-574 mg/kg), phytol and phytyl esters (106-358 mg/kg), 2-hydroxyfatty acids (77-155 mg/kg), acylglycerides (41-277 mg/kg), tocopherols and tocopheryl esters (21-67 mg/kg), and <i>n</i>-aldehydes (10-23 mg/kg) were detected. The abundance and wide diversity of lipophilic compounds present in these agricultural residues highlight their great potential as a rich source of valuable phytochemicals for various industrial applications, positioning cereal straws as highly attractive feedstocks in the context of the lignocellulosic biorefinery.