Evaluation of Phenolic Compounds and Carotenoids Content and Mycotoxins Occurrence in Grains of Seventeen Barley and Eight Oat Cultivars Grown under Organic Management

Abstract

In recent decades, organic farming based on natural means and methods of production is gaining more and more popularity. It is due to the growing awareness of the society regarding the harmfulness of chemicals used in intensive agriculture, which influences the growing interest of both producers and consumers in organic food. Searching for plant cultivars performing best under organic management in terms of crop quality is one of the important research topics of the recent years. The aim of the present study was therefore to compare 8 oat and 17 barley cultivars grown in identical organic production conditions in terms of polyphenols and carotenoids contents and the mycotoxins contamination in grains. The analyses of bioactive compounds were performed using HPLC and the mycotoxins occurrence using LC-MS/MS methods. Among the barley cultivars studied, the grains of SU Lolek, Rubaszek and Podarek accumulated the highest content of polyphenols. Grain of Soldo cultivar was richest in carotenoids, but at the same time most of the mycotoxins identified within the study were found in the grains of this cultivar. In the case of oat, the highest content of polyphenols was found in the grain of Harnaś, Nawigator and Arden cultivars, while Pascal and Amant grain was richest in carotenoids. Among all the oat cultivars tested, only Amant grain was free from the studied mycotoxins. These findings are important for producers as well as consumers, who search for quality organic foods.