The Impact of Climate Change on Physiochemical Properties and Nutritional Aspects of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum): A Review

Article In Press | Published on: February 16, 2026

Volume: 3, Issue: 1

Authors: 1 Megersa Bayisa Debelo , 2 Misgana Banti

1. Source technology multiplication and seed research, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center, Asella, Ethiopia.

 2. Food science and nutrition, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center, Asella, Ethiopia.


Corresponding Author: Megersa Bayisa Debelo, Source technology multiplication and seed research, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center, Asella, Ethiopia

Citation: Megersa. B. Debelo, B. Misgana. (2026). The Impact of Climate Change on Physiochemical Properties and Nutritional Aspects of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum): A Review, Journal of Medical Research and Clinical Case Reports, RPC Publishers, 3(1).

Copyright: © 2026 Megersa Bayisa Debelo, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Submitted On
July 25, 2025
Accepted On
December 20, 2025
Published On
February 16, 2026

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to global food security, particularly through its impact on the physiological, biochemical, and nutritional properties of staple crops like bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (eCO₂), rising temperatures, and water stress individually or in combination affect wheat grain development, composition, and quality. This review synthesizes findings from Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) and field-based studies to examine how these stressors influence protein composition, gluten functionality, starch synthesis, and micronutrient (iron, zinc) content. While eCO₂ tends to enhance yield and sometimes increase protein concentrations, it often dilutes mineral and amino acid quality, compromises dough strength, and elevates phytate levels, thus reducing nutrient bioavailability. Moreover, heat and drought stress disrupt grain filling, enzymatic activities, and gluten protein balance, further degrading functional and nutritional quality. Genotypic variability and environmental interactions play crucial roles in moderating these effects. This review highlights the need for integrated breeding, agronomic, and climate adaptation strategies to safeguard wheat nutritional quality under changing climatic conditions.

Keywords

bread wheat climate change protein composition gluten quality mineral bioavailability heat stress elevated CO₂ drought nutritional value

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Keywords (categories)
Nutrition