Analysis of Alkylresorcinol, Phytosterol, Carotenoid, and Vitamin E Contents in Korean Wheat Cultivars

This study investigated the phytochemical profiles of 41 Korean wheat cultivars harvested over two consecutive years (2019 and 2020), with a focus on alkylresorcinols (ARs), phytosterols, vitamin E, and carotenoids. Validated chromatographic analyses revealed considerable variation among cultivars. AR levels, particularly heneicosylresorcinol, showed relatively consistent patterns across years, whereas the concentrations of phytosterols, vitamin E, and carotenoids varied more noticeably between years, suggesting possible associations with environmental conditions. Hierarchical clustering analysis classified the cultivars into five distinct groups according to their overall phytochemical profiles. ‘Dajoong’ and ‘Shinmichal’ exhibited the highest AR levels; ‘Hanbaek’, ‘Goso’, and ‘Joah’ were richest in β-sitosterol; ‘Eunpa’ and ‘Namhae’ showed elevated β-tocotrienol content, while ‘Uri’ and ‘Chungkye’ were notable for high lutein concentrations. ‘Saekeumkang’ displayed a balanced profile across all phytochemical classes. These findings provide baseline data on phytochemical variation among Korean wheat cultivars and offer insight into differences in phytochemical diversity.