Wheat seed, sectioned to reveal endosperm and embryoWheat — a prime source of gluten
Gluten /gloot-en/ is a composite of the proteinsgliadin and glutenin. These proteins are found in the endosperms of some grass-like grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Gliadin and glutenin make up about 80% of the protein contained in wheat seed. As they are insoluble in water, they can be got by washing away the starch in the grain. Worldwide, gluten is an important source of food protein, both in foods prepared directly from grains with gluten in them, and as an additive to foods that are low in protein.
Gluten and Celiac Disease
Some people are very sensitive to glutens in their food. When they eat foods which contain gluten, these people may experience stomach cramps, bloating, gas and diarrhoea and rashes. This sensitivity is called coeliac disease (in North America, it is usually spelled "celiac disease").
Wieser, H. (2007), Cereal Chemistry and Dough Properties, KL1-Gluten Chemistry, German Research Centre of Food Chemistry and Cereal Chemistry and Hans-Dieter-Belitz-Institute for Cereal Grain Research, D-85748 Garching, Germany, archived from the original on 2008-06-16, retrieved 2007-09-27