Selection for greater beta-glucan content in cereal grains
2005
Havrlentova, M.(Vyskumny ustav rastlinnej vyroby, Piestany (Slovak Republic) | Kraic, J. | Benkova, M. | Hozlar, P.
Beta-glucan is the major soluble component of barley and oat fiber. Compared to other cereals, barley and oat have relatively high levels of beta-glucan. This beneficial fiber was found also in the cell walls of wheat, rye, maize and others. Beta-glucan [(1-3)(1-4)-beta-D-glucan] is a collective term for high molecular weight polymers of glucose linked by beta-(1,3) and beta-(1,4) glycosidic bonds. In our work, we observed the beta-glucan content in barley, oat and wheat grains. The amount of beta-glucan in the sample was determined by using the beta-glucan assay kit (Megazyme, Ldt., Ireland). We analysed 111 genotypes of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), 79 genotypes of oat (Avena sativa L.), and 14 genotypes of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The mean value of beta-glucan content in barley was 4.16%, in oat 3.49%, and in wheat only 0.48%. Barley and oat are good sources of cereal beta-glucan. Wheat, because of his low amount of beta-glucan, is not a suitable souce of this health beneficial component of dietary fibre.
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