Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid for mammals since they cannot synthesise it. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major source of dietary Trp, and wheat high in Trp would thus be very beneficial. This study investigated the impact of location and wheat variety on the content of free Trp and mineral nutrients in wheat grain. Four wheat cultivars from national variety tests on wheat with varying protein contents were selected from seven different locations of Sweden representing different climatic zones and soil contents of trace elements. Grain was analysed for Trp content using reversed phase HPLC. Mineral nutrients were analysed using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. Wheat yield and grain content of nutrients and Trp differed significantly between sites. High N content in grain was correlated with a high content of Cu, Fe and S, and also Ca and Mg. However, it was correlated with a low content of K and Na. Trp content was positively correlated with Na and Zn content and negatively correlated with K/Na and K/(Na+Zn) ratio. The varieties differed in Trp content and the two ratios, but there were no significant differences in yields between the varieties at any location. The results indicated salt stress induction of Trp synthesis, which may protect wheat against salt stress and yield losses.

The EU Directive on the promotion of the use of biofuels or other renewable fuels for transport (CO M 2003/30/EC) states that the proportion of biofuels in 2010 must make 5.75% of non-renewable fuels, but in 2020 - 10%. The only way for Latvia to fulfil the Directive 2003/30/EC is to use winter rye because it is one of the oldest cereals grown in Latvia, and Latvia has a long-lasting experience in growing it. A field trial of winter rye (Secale cereale L.) was arranged in the Agricultural Science Centre of Latgale from 2005 to 2007. The influence of four winter rye varieties and five fertilizer rates on grain yield and starch content was researched for three years. The year (factor A), the varieties (factor B), the fertilizer rates (factor C), and the interaction of factors AB, AC , BC, and ABC significantly influenced the yield of grain and the starch content with 95% probability. It is recommended to use good quality grain with high starch content and low protein content for bioethanol production. The varieties of winter rye 'Kaupo', 'Amilo', and 'Walet' are the most suitable for ethanol production in Latgale region.

Encouraging of competitive relations and strengthening of competitive position of domestic producers on both national and EU common market of products and services become one of the main priorities of national economic policy. Latvian national interests are closely related to the maintenance of the competitive environment as an important factor for increase of competitiveness of separate commodity, enterprise or industry, which is able to provide economic growth in the circumstances of declining the business activity and strong competition on internal and external markets. However, fair market competition takes place only on the markets where there are no any essential obstacles and barriers for potential entry of new market actors. That is why the present article is prepared on the basis of case study carried out for Latvian grain processing sector with the purpose to describe and qualitatively assess the effects of various entry barriers, which really exist on the domestic market.

The objectives of the investigation were to determine the transgressive lines of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for grain quality traits (1000 kernel weight, and content of crude protein, starch and β-glucans) in the six cross combinations between covered and hull-less barley genotypes. The trial was carried out at the State Stende Cereal Breeding Institute during 2007 and 2008. Lines representing either positive or negative transgression were found in each cross combination if compared covered and hull-less lines with their parent varieties. These lines during the two years of investigation exceeded both parents in positive or negative direction by one standard deviation according to any of the four analyzed grain quality traits. Seven positive transgressive lines were observed regarding 1000 kernel weight, and two transgressive genotypes regarding crude protein content within the population of covered barley lines. No line with positive transgression regarding starch and β-glucan content was found within the covered barley population. 27 hull-less lines showed positive transgression regarding any of the four analyzed grain quality traits. The results show that it is possible to increase grain quality of spring barley grain by implementing selection practices.

The objective of this study was to examine the range of variation and correlation relationships of some grain physical traits of different barley types. Field experiments were carried out at the State Stende Cereal Breeding Institute from 2004 to 2006. Grain samples of 52 spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes were analysed for 1000 grain weight, test weight, relative hardness index and hull content. The mean value of 1000 grain weight and test weight for two-row barley was significantly higher than for six-row barley. Test weight for hull-less barley was significantly higher than for covered ones (mean values - 774.6 g lE-1 and 669.8 g lE-1 respectively). The hull content was higher for six-row barley type (10.4%) than for two-row (8.6%) barley. There was no significant difference in relative hardness index between different types of barley. The coefficient of variation for grain hardness ranged from 13.7% for six-row barley to 18.7% for hull-less barley. Among varieties bred in Latvia relative hardness index ranged from 47.1 for two-row variety ‘Sencis’ to 80.4 for only six-row variety ‘Druvis’. Significant (p is less than 0.05) positive correlation was detected between grain hardness index and β-glucans for covered two-row head types of barley (r2-row, covered =0.418 is greater than r25; 0.05=0.396).

The objectives of the investigation were to determine effect of hull-less gene on grain quality traits (crude protein, starch and β-glucans) and to evaluate the heritability of these traits in the F4 and F5 generations of six crosses between covered and hull-less barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The trial was carried out at the State Stende Cereal Breeding Institute during the years 2007 and 2008. Mean value, range and the coefficient of variation of traits for covered and hull-less lines within each cross combination were calculated. Heritability of quality traits was estimated as intergeneration correlation (r) and linear regression coefficients (b). The highest intergeneration correlation values were observed for starch content within covered and hull-less barley populations (rF4:F5=0.609 and 0.635 respectively). Moderate intergeneration relationship was observed for crude protein content within covered barley population (r=0.582), and for β-glucans content within hull-less barley population (r=0.593). The regression estimates of heritability were higher for starch content for both covered and hull-less barleys (b=0.549 and 0.703 respectively). Due to effects of genotype and environment interactions the regression estimates of heritability for crude protein and β-glucans content for both covered and hull-less barley were low (b varied from 0.347 to 0.373).

The dietary fibre is edible parts of plants' carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion in human small intestine. Diets naturally rich in dietary fibre support to prevent constipation, improve gastrointestinal health, glucose tolerance and the insulin response, and reduce the risk of colon cancer, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other coronary heart disease risk factors. About 45% of the dietary fibre intake comes from grains and grain mixtures. In Latvia, there are neither data, nor investigations of the dietary fibre content in grain products during processing and in the end products in which manufacturers and consumers are interested. The aim of this paper was an approval of dietary fibre determination methodology by using analytical equipment the Full option science system (FOS) Analytical Fibertec E 1023. The dietary fibre determination experiments were carried out in the Research Laboratory of the Department of Food Technology at the Latvia University of Agriculture in 2009. The Total Dietary Fibre (TDF) content was analyzed in the samples of rye whole grain flour, rye whole grain bread, and wheat biscuit. Experiments showed that the fibre content in rye whole grain flour is 13.8 g 100 gE-1, in rye whole grain bread - 11.6 g 100 gE-1, and in the wheat biscuit - 1.9 g 100 gE-1. Reached data are comparable with results of other researchers' data.

Emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccum SCHRANK (SCHUEBL), is an old species of cereal which has been traditionally grown in arid areas. The renewed interest in this variety has its origin in favourable quality parameters of emmer wheat grain and a beneficial effect on human organism. This article deals with a study of quality parameters and storage protein composition of 6 varieties of emmer wheat (which have been chosen from the collection of gene bank at the Research institute of Crop Production in Prague-Ruzyně and in České Budějovice). High crude protein content in grain was proved during the trials. Nevertheless, such a characteristic is not suitable for the classical bakery processing (production of leavened products). The analysed genotypes contain more than 10% of high molecular weight glutenins (HMW glutenins), approximately 70% of low molecular weight glutenins + gliadins (LMW glutenins + gliadins), and almost 20% of residual albumins and globulins. Thanks to high share of albumins and globulins, emmer wheat grain is very valuable raw material for the production of healthy diet. The level of stability of storage proteins composition destines the suitability of emmer wheat for organic and low input farming in Less Favoured Areas.

Cereal grains have long been thought to be less important sources of antioxidants than fruits and vegetables although they contain many antioxidants and are major dietary components worldwide. The aim of the current research was to study and compare an antioxidant activity (AOA) and total phenolic content (TPC) of different barley varieties and malt types as well as to evaluate possible interconnection between TPC and AOA of barley and malt samples. The research was carried out on four lines of hull-less barley ‘3528’; ’L-400’; ’3475’; ‘3537’ and one variety of flaky barley ‘Klass’ grains, which were cultivated in Latvia in 2010, and their corresponding malt. Commercial sorts of malt - Pilsener, Munich, Caramel and Dark were used in the research to compare with the malt produced in the laboratory scale. The antioxidant potential of barley and their products is analyzed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. Total phenolic content of barley and malt samples was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric methods. The values of DPPH radical scavenging activity for 5 barley samples ranged from 4.57 to 5.89 μmol TE gE-1 DW. The total amount of phenols ranged from 1.96 to 2.43 mg GAE gE-1 DW for unprocessed barley samples and from 2.5 to 3.4 mg GAE gE-1 DW for their corresponding malt. TPC of malt commercial sort ranged from 3.5 to 6.7 GAE gE-1 DW. The increase of TPC for commercial malts is strongly related with Maillard reaction products.

Oat breeders have improved yielding ability potential of oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars, but set lower standards for biochemical composition of grain. Nowadays the quality of grain for consumers has become important especially in terms of lipids and β-glucan content. Experiments were carried out at State Stende Cereal Breading Institute in the year 2012 to evaluate the oats yield and grain quality. 15 different cultivars of Stende collection were compared by yield and parameters of productivity (test weight and 1000 kernel weight) as well as biochemical parameters (protein, starch, lipid, β-glucan, content). Biochemical parameters were tested by Infratec Analyser 1241. To obtain an equal research background all cultivars were grown in a plant breeding crop rotation field, with similar growing conditions (sowing-time, fertilizer, plant protection activities), which agree with generally accepted technology of oat cultivation in Latvia. Experiments were done in four replications. Plots were laid randomized. ANOVA procedures were used for data analysis. Yield of experimental cultivars varied between 4.28 ± 0.19 - 5.93 ± 0.22 t haE-1, test weight 46.85 ± 0.99 - 52.75 ± 0.44 kg hLE-1, 1000 kernel weight 33.70 ± 0.24 - 46.34 ± 0.80 g. Significant differences of tested yield parameters among oat cultivars were observed. The highest protein content was observed for local breed cultivars ‘Arta’ and ‘Mara’ 119.5 ± 02.6 and 110.5 ± 1.9 g kgE-1 accordingly. Low starch content, but high β-glucan content is characteristic for all Latvian cultivars.