Amylase/trypsin-inhibitor content and inhibitory activity of German common wheat landraces and modern varieties do not differ

Amylase/trypsin-inhibitors (ATIs) are triggers for wheat-related disorders like baker’s asthma and non-celiac wheat sensitivity. With the rise of wheat-related disorders among the population, the hypothesis that breeding may have resulted in changes in the protein composition of wheat was put forward. The ATI content of 14 German common wheat landraces and six modern varieties harvested in three consecutive years was analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and the inhibitory activity against α-amylase was measured with an enzymatic assay. The mean ATI content and proportion of crude protein of both groups did not differ. There were also only small differences in the content and proportion of single ATIs. The mean values for the inhibitory activity of both groups were also similar. These results indicate that breeding might not have led to changes in the protein composition and landraces are unlikely to be better tolerated than modern varieties.