The Variation in Chemical Composition of Triticales Grown in Sweden

Abstract

The gross composition of 80 samples of winter-triticale, 5 of winter-rye and 10 of winter-wheat, grown in the south of Sweden was investigated. On average, the triticale samples contained 66.5% starch, 13.3% total fibre, 11.7% crude protein, 4.6% free sugars, 2.2% crude fat and 1.8% ash. The highest coefficient of variation was obtained for the free sugars and the lowest for starch. Compared to the reference rye and wheat samples, the triticale samples contained higher amounts of crude protien. The contents of soluble, insoluble and total fibres were highest in the rye, lowest in the wheat and generally intermediate in the triticale samples. However, the highest amounts of insoluble pentosans were observed in the triticale samples. The amounts of water soluble pentosans were lowest in wheat, highest in rye and intermediate in triticale, and were directly proportional to extract viscosity.