Studies on the nutraceuticals composition of wheat derived oils wheat bran oil and wheat germ oil.

Abstract Fat-soluble nutraceuticals of cereals are known for
number of disease preventive activities. Hence wheat bran oil
(WBO) and wheat germ oil (WGO) were extracted from
wheat bran and germ which yielded 3.35 % and 7.35 % of
oil, containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (64 %,
61.2 %) respectively. Both oils contained tocopherols and
carotenoids, which were higher in wheat germ oil (273 mg/
100 g, 12.23 mg/100 g) than wheat bran oil (190 mg/100 g,
2.21 mg/100 g). Steryl ferulates were also present in both the
oils, but their content was eight-fold higher in WBO than in
WGO. Three major steryl ferulates identified by HPLC were
campesteryl ferulate and sitostenyl ferulate, campestanyl
ferulate and β-sitosteryl ferulate as in γ-oryzanol and another
ferulate, viz., sitostanyl ferulate. A strong IC50 value of
7.5 mg/mL and 21.6 mg/mL DPPH free radicals scavenging
for wheat germ oil for wheat bran oil was observed. NMR
(13C and 1H) profile explored the evidence of distribution of
antioxidant molecules in the unsaponifiable matter of wheat
derived oil. Since oils rich in PUFA and minor components
are required for the normal physiological activities, blending
such oils with other edible oils of the diet in wheat growing
countries like India may be useful to provide health benefits.