Effects of region, genotype, harvest year and their interactions on volatile organic compounds in wheat kernels

The effects of region, genotype, harvest year, and their interaction were evaluated in relation to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in wheat kernels. The study provides a theoretical basis for wheat authentication. A total of 148 wheat samples with 10 genotypes (G) from three regions (R) across 2011/2012, 2012/2013, 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016 (Y) were collected, and the VOCs were analyzed by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). The results showed that R, G, and Y all significantly affected the VOCs of wheat. Y significantly influenced 23 VOCs such as Dihydro-2(3h)-furanone (78.41%) and Pentan-1-ol (66.06%), and G significantly influenced Butanal (23.59%). Additionally, the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) analysis method results showed that the overall correct classification of the five harvest years was 98%, whereas the correct rate of distinguishing ten genotypes was only 27.00%. Under the interaction effects of multiple factors, the overall correct classification rate for identifying wheat from three regions was 54.10%.