Changes Caused by Genotype and Environmental Conditions in Beta-Glucan Content of Spring Barley for Dietetically Beneficial Human Nutrition

• Published in: Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht) 2008-09, Vol.63 (3), p.111-117
• Main Authors: Ehrenbergerová, J, Březinová Belcredi, N, Psota, V, Hrstková, P, Cerkal, R, Newman, C. W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: (1-4)-(1-3)-β-d-glucans; Agriculture - methods; barley; Beers; beta-Glucans - administration & dosage; beta-Glucans - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Dietary Fiber - analysis; Ecology; Environment; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fermented food industries; Food industries; Food Science; Food, Organic; functional foods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genotype; Grain filling period; Growing period; Hordeum - chemistry; Hordeum - genetics; Hull-less barley; Hulled varieties; Humans; Nutrition; Nutritive Value; Original Paper; Plant Physiology; Plants, Genetically Modified; Rain; Temperature; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0921-9668; 1573-9104
• DOI: 10.1007/s11130-008-0079-7

Over the 5-year period (2000-2004), a significantly higher β-glucan content was detected in the waxy varieties Washonubet, Wabet, and Wanubet (6.8-7.6%) and lines formed by crossing these varieties with malting varieties (5.8-7.1%). Conversely, the non-waxy hulled malting-type varieties Kompakt (4.0%) and Krona (4.3%) had significantly lower contents of β-glucan. The observations also showed that concentrations of β-glucans in 2000-2004 were significantly affected not only by varieties, but also environmental conditions in the growing periods and interactions of these two factors. Higher precipitation during the flowering time and grain filling period and lower temperatures during the flowering time in 2002 had negative effects on concentration of β-glucans. Conversely, drier and warmer weather in 2003 enhanced the content of β-glucans. The results show that it is possible to increase the content of β-glucan in spring barley grain by implementing selective breeding practices. Compared to the parental malting varieties, the mean content of β-glucans in F₄-F₈ generations was increased by 1.8 and 2.0% by recombination in lines Kompakt x Wabet and Wanubet x Krona, respectively. Significant effect of environmental conditions and their interactions with varieties indicated the necessity to assess standard qualities of barley as a food material.