Deficiency of metals, primarily Fe and Zn, affects over half of the world’s population. Human diets dominated by cereal products cause micronutrient malnutrition, which is common in many developing countries where populations depend heavily on staple grain crops such as wheat, maize, and rice. Biofortification is one of the most effective approaches to alleviate malnutrition. Genetically stable mutant spring wheat lines (M₇ generation) produced via 100 or 200 Gy gamma treatments to broaden genetic variation for grain nutrients were analyzed for nutritionally important minerals (Ca, Fe, and Zn), their bioavailability, and grain protein content (GPC). Variation was 172.3–883.0 mg/kg for Ca, 40.9–89.0 mg/kg for Fe, and 22.2–89.6 mg/kg for Zn. In mutant lines, among the investigated minerals, the highest increases in concentrations were observed in Fe, Zn, and Ca when compared to the parental cultivar Zhenis. Some mutant lines, mostly in the 100 Gy-derived germplasm, had more than two-fold higher Fe, Zn, and Ca concentrations, lower phytic acid concentration (1.4–2.1-fold), and 6.5–7% higher grain protein content compared to the parent. Variation was detected for the molar ratios of Ca:Phy, Phy:Fe, and Phy:Zn (1.27–10.41, 1.40–5.32, and 1.78–11.78, respectively). The results of this study show how genetic variation generated through radiation can be useful to achieve nutrient biofortification of crops to overcome human malnutrition.

Wheat is a major cereal crop for both human and animal nutrition, providing 28 % of the world’s edible dry matter and up to 60 % of the daily calorie intake in developing countries. Across years, wheat breeding reduced its genetic diversity by replacing traditional cultivars with modern higher yielding varieties and this has resulted in decreased nutritional quality. Spring wheat genetically stable mutant lines (M7 generation) produced on genetic background of cv. Eritrospermum-35 after 100 and 200 Gy gamma treatments to broaden genetic variation and search for new resources were analyzed for grain protein contentand nutritionally important protein fractions (albumins, globulins and prolamins). A significant positive correlation between grain protein content and yield-associated traits, such as grain number and weight per spike, were observed in the 100- and 200 Gy-dosed mutant lines with different means, r2 =0.141, (p<0.05) and r2 =0.068, (p<0.05), respectively. Albumins ranged from 139.5 to 890.4 μ g/g, globulins – from 130.1 to 344.04 μ g/g. The 200 Gy-dosed M7 mutant lines showed the highest globulins concentration by 1.84 fold higher, compared to cv. Eritrospermum-35. Prolamins level varied from 65.1 to 398.2 μ g/g in mutant lines. High dose of irradiation (200 Gy) generated higher level of variation, when compared to 100 Gy. ANOVA analysis revealed significant variation (p<0.05) in globulins and prolamins. In order to improve both quantity and quality of wheat proteins and influence selection of improved raw materials for the flour and bread-making industry a more detailed knowledge of the variability of grain proteins and protein fractions accumulation among new spring wheat mutant lines varieties could be useful. In addition, to improve whole-wheat flour application in production of functional food, rich in health-beneficial components, the study of the whole grain proteins content, their structure and quality is significant.

Improving grain nutritional quality without reducing yield remains a major challenge in wheat breeding. This study aimed to identify advanced mutant lines of spring wheat with enhanced grain protein, iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) contents combined with reduced phytate levels to improve mineral bioavailability. Mutant lines were developed from the spring wheat cultivar Zhenis using gamma irradiation (100 and 200 Gry) and evaluated for yield-related traits, grain morphometry, and nutritional parameters. Significant phenotypic and genetic variation was observed among the M₅ mutant lines. Grain protein content ranged from 13.23% to 15.63%, and 46.7% of the lines showed significantly higher protein levels than the parent cultivar. Likewise, 43.3% of the mutant lines showed increases in grain iron and zinc contents of up to 3.4- and 2.94-fold, respectively, compared to the control. Phytate-to-mineral molar ratios were significantly reduced, indicating improved mineral bioavailability. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between micronutrient accumulation and grain morphometric traits, particularly grain area. No strong negative relationship between nutritional quality and yield-related traits was detected in the selected lines. These results demonstrate that gamma-induced mutagenesis is an effective approach for developing biofortified wheat genotypes with improved nutritional quality and stable agronomic performance.