Evaluation of protein fractions as biochemical markers for identification of spelt wheat cultivars (Triticum spelta L.)

Four protein fractions: 1 - albumins and globulins, 2 - gliadins, 3 - glutenins (extracted in NaOH), 4 - glutenins (extracted in SDS) separated by SDS-PAGE were used as biochemical markers for evaluation of polymorphism level in three spelt wheat cultivars - Hercule, Altgold and Rouquin, three new-breeders' spelt lines - H92.27, H92.28 and M92.20 (originated from hybridisation between spelt and common wheat) and reference common wheat cultivar Brea. Electrophoretic phenotypes and zymograms were evaluated by means of digital image analysis and Nei and Li coefficient of similarity was used to evaluate the relation of analysed genotypes. Entire evaluation of all four-marker systems showed differences between common wheat cultivarBreaand spelt cultivars and spelt breeders' lines. Also significant differences between old spelt cultivars (Hercule, Altgold and Rouquin) and new spelt breeders' lines were found. The reality of the mutual passing of protein fractions (gliadins and glutenins), based on Osborne extraction was confirmed. In this sense it is necessary to see both fractions as dynamic overlapping structures.