Chemical and physical characteristics of different barley samples

Eight different barleys, including covered and naked samples containing low , normal and high amylose starches as well as a sample with low starch and high beta-glucan content and a malting barley, were examined both from a ch emical and physical perspective. In the chemical characterisation of the sa mples, analyses of nutrients were performed, while in the physical characte risation, weight of individual kernels, sieving fractions, bulk density, te rminal velocity by pneumatic classification and parameters from a Single Ke rnel Characterization System (SKCS) were analysed. Results were evaluated b y principal component analysis (PCA). The major trend found was that hull c ontent and endosperm composition varied independently of each other. Consti tuents found mainly in the hull were positively correlated with each other, but negatively with bulk density and the 95% quantile of terminal velocity . There was a positive correlation between average value and standard devia tion of grain mass, fat and starchy endosperm components such as extractabl e dietary fibre residues and beta-glucan. The latter variables were negativ ely correlated to beta-glucan extractability. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.