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 β-glucan content and a malting barley, were examined both from a chemical and physical perspective. In the chemical characterisation of the samples, analyses of nutrients were performed, while in the physical characterisation, weight of individual kernels, sieving fractions, bulk density, terminal velocity by pneumatic classification and parameters from a Single Kernel Characterization System (SKCS) were analysed. Results were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA). The major trend found was that hull content and endosperm composition varied independently of each other. Constituents 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 deviation of grain mass, fat and starchy endosperm components such as extractable dietary fibre residues and β-glucan. The latter variables were negatively correlated to β-glucan extractability. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry