Yield, Polyphenol and Carotenoid Content, and Mycotoxin Occurrence in Grains of Four Winter Barley Varieties Grown in Different Nitrogen Fertilization Conditions in Poland
Source abstract
Abstract
Barley has consistently been ranked among the four most grown cereals in the world. Integrated agronomic approaches, combining a selection of optimal genotypes and growing conditions, may help to provide high yields of quality and safe barley grains. This study aimed to assess the yield, polyphenol and carotenoid content, and mycotoxin presence in grains of four winter barley varieties—Hobbit, Zoom, Galation, and Sandra—grown under different nitrogen (N) fertilization levels. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze bioactive compounds, while liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was applied to determine mycotoxin occurrence. Results showed that Hobbit and Zoom had higher yields, with Hobbit benefiting from higher N fertilization levels. While no significant differences in phenolic acids (sum) were observed among the barley varieties tested (av. 80.50 ± 6.78 mg/100 g), higher N levels raised flavonoid content (46.78 ± 4.35 vs. 38.82 ± 3.54 mg/100 g). Zoom was characterized by the highest total polyphenol levels (130.45 ± 12.50 mg/100 g). Among the 14 mycotoxins tested, only two were frequently found in the grain samples (DON and 15-Ac-DON), with Sandra being the least and Galation the most susceptible. The N fertilization doses did not significantly impact mycotoxin levels in grains. The insights gained from this study can inform the development and selection of barley varieties and growing conditions that offer optimized yields, enhanced nutritional value, and reduced susceptibility to mycotoxin contamination, tailored to the producers’ and consumers’ expectations and to sustainable farming goals.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Rabbits: Nutrition, Reproduction, Health · Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology · Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Functional and Organic Food, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Bioeconomy Research Institute, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Donelaicio 58, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
Department of Crops and Yield Quality, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation—State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
Institute of Plant Protection—National Research Institute, Władysława Węgorka 20, 60-318 Poznań, Poland
Department of Crop Production, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 4 St., 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
Funding
Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education
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