Post-storage changes in mineral contents of different varieties of wheat grains

In the present study five different wheat grain varieties viz. WH-542, PBW-343, UP-2003, KUNDAN and PBW-502 were collected from different farmer's house of Bihar state in polythene bags in triplicates and were divided into two lots i.e., one part was stored without being sterilized and other part was sterilized with sodium hypochlorite. After one year, stored wheat grain was analyzed for changes (mg/100gm) of Ca, P and Fe mineral contents. Maximum (−0.2) changes of Ca content was recorded in KUNDAN variety whereas minimum (−0.096) was recorded in WH-542 variety in comparison to freshly harvested wheat grain where no changes was recorded in sterilized stored wheat grains. Similarly P content was found maximum (0.169) changes in PBW-343 and minimum (−0.123) changes in WH-542 whereas in case of Fe content maximum (−0.04) changes have been recorded in UP-2003 and minimum (−0.027) changes in PBW-502 variety. For the determination of factor responsible for mineral changes, mycoflora of wheat grain was analyzed and compared with sterilized stored wheat grain where no fungus was isolated. The maximum no. of fungi was recovered from KUNDAN variety whereas minimum in PBW-343 variety. Out of 15 fungi belonging to different taxonomic group 7 fungi viz., Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Cladosporium oxysporum, Curvularia clavata, Fusarium moniliforme, F. Oxysporum, Penicillium citrinum were found to be common in all varieties whereas Curvularia lunata, and Drechslera hawaiiensis were found only in PBW-502 and UP-2003 Varieties respectively. The diversity and incidence of fungi was found to vary in different varieties of wheat and may be responsible to mineral changes in comparison for freshly harvested wheat grains.