scholarly journals Barley Grain as a Source of Health-Beneficial Substances

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (Special Issue 1) ◽  
pp. S242-S244 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Březinová Belcredi ◽  
J. Ehrenbergerová ◽  
S. Běláková ◽  
K. Vaculová

Barley is an excellent source of non-starch polysaccharides, i.e. soluble fiber (&beta;-glucans and arabinoxylans), it contains many important vitamins (vitamin E and vitamin B-complex) and enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase). A set of the malting varieties and a line KM 1057 had statistically significantly higher content of arabinoxylans (4.40–5.58%) compared to the other KM lines (CZ origin) and the variety Merlin (Canada origin) (3.51–3.64%). Content of &beta;-glucans in grain of varieties/lines was in a reverse order. The variety Merlin and lines KM (4.10–6.08%) had higher &beta;-glucan content compared to the malting varieties and lines KM 1057 (2.78–4.02%). In the studied set of varieties/lines, strong negative correlation <I>(r</I> = –0.78**) between content of &beta;-glucans and arabinoxylans was determined.

2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 443-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ehrenbergerová ◽  
K. Vaculová ◽  
V. Psota ◽  
P. Havlová ◽  
V. Šerhantová

In a four-year period (1997&ndash;2000), selected phytonutrients, of which the beta-glucan content is most important for human health, were studied in caryopses of different types of barley varieties and lines (standard, waxy, hulless) from two cropping systems. It was significantly highest in the waxy variety Washonubet (4.93%). The whole group of waxy types of barley showed a significantly higher mean content of beta-glucans (4.75%) than the varieties with standard starch composition (4.12%), the starch content, however, was significantly higher in standard varieties (61.98%) than in waxy types (60.30%). The hulless varieties, however, had a significantly higher mean starch content (61.73%) than the hulled forms (61.07%) and a significantly higher protein content (13.82% versus 13.00%). The hulless intensive varieties and lines had a significantly higher content of beta-glucans (4.34%) and protein (13.95%) than the hulled intensive varieties (4.07%, 12.65%). Chemical treatment and fertilization increased significantly only the mean content of protein in caryopses (13.77%) compared to the variants with the absence of treatment (13.13%), the content of beta-glucans and starch increased insignificantly (by 0.12% and 0.27%). Years and varieties participated most in the variability of starch content (31.67%, 28.08%), varieties in the content of beta-glucans and protein (per 22%), and (21%) the interaction of varieties and years in the variability of these two nutrients.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyedeh Atefeh Sharifzadeh ◽  
Hossein Khara ◽  
Shayan Ghobadi

Abstract In the present study, the effects of vitamins E, B2 and combinations of them on hematological parameters of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., were investigated during a 56-day experiment. The various dietary levels of vitamins E, B2 and their combination were used as experimental treatments, as follows: T1: vitamin E (80 mg), T2: vitamin E (160 mg kg diet-1), T3: vitamin E (240 mg kg diet-1), T4: vitamin B2 (7 mg kg diet-1), T5: vitamin B2 (15 mg kg diet-1), T6: vitamin B2 (20 mg kg diet-1), T7: vitamin E (80 mg kg diet-1) + vitamin B2 (7 mg kg diet-1), T8: vitamin E (160 mg kg diet-1) + vitamin B2 (15 mg kg diet-1), T9: vitamin E (240 mg kg diet-1) + vitamin B2 (20 mg kg diet-1). One group not given vitamin supplements was the control. The values of red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) were higher in T7 than in the other experimental treatments. The values of white blood cells (WBC) were higher in T2 than in the other treatments. The concentration of immunoglobulin (IgM) was also lower in T10 than in the other experimental treatments. The highest values of mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were observed in T2. No significant differences were noted among experimental groups in the values of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). This study showed that vitamin E and B2 supplements alter the hematological parameters of common carp.


2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Juárez ◽  
M E.R. Dugan ◽  
J L Aalhus ◽  
N. Aldai ◽  
J A Basarab ◽  
...  

Forty feedlot steers were fed a barley-grain-based finishing diet typical for western Canada, with two levels of supplementary vitamin E (468 or 1069 IU head-1 d-1) and the effect on backfat trans-18:1 isomeric profile was determined. Feeding 1068 IU vitamin E reduced the total trans-18:1 content in backfat (P < 0.01), as well as the percentage of trans 10-18:1 (P < 0.001), which are related to an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, trans 11-18:1 (vaccenic acid) the precursor for cis 9,trans 11-18:2 (rumenic acid), which have several purported health benefits, increased (P < 0.01). Vitamin E could, therefore, be used to decrease trans-18:1 in beef and improve its isomeric profile.Key words: Beef, trans fatty acid, vaccenic acid, vitamin E


1983 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guang-Lu Xu ◽  
Anthony T. Diplock

1. Vitamin E and selenium deficiencies were produced in the Pekin duckling (Anser cinerens) and were characterized by the development of lesions after 14 d in gizzard, intestine, heart and skeletal muscle.2. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9), using hydrogen peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide as substrates, glutathione-S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.13), superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) were measured in homogenate supernatant fractions of liver, heart, intestine, gizzard and skeletal muscle of deficient ducklings and of control birds given vitamin E or Se or both.3. Glutathione peroxidase activities were dramatically lower in tissues of Se-deficient ducklings, and this was unaffected by vitamin E. No adaptive changes were seen in the activity of the other enzymes, even after 21 d when the deficiency was severe.4. It appeared likely that the variability of the enzyme activities, other than glutathione peroxidase, in the different tissues studied might explain differences among the tissues in susceptibility to peroxidative damage.


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 481
Author(s):  
Eunice O. Uzodinma ◽  
Chigozie F. Okoyeuzu ◽  
Nneka N. Uchegbu ◽  
Charles Odilichukwu R. Okpala ◽  
Waheed A. Rasaq ◽  
...  

Cubing machines in food processing have evolved over the years, which have made products like Star®, Knorr®, and Chicken® bouillon cubes become commercially available today, even in many parts of Africa. On the other hand, the fermented mesquite seed “okpeye” food condiment, traditionally produced by well-trained artisans and widely utilised in Nigeria, requires further product development in order to compete with bouillon cubes. Quality comparisons between the cubed “okpeye” condiment and commercially available bouillon cube products have not yet been reported. Therefore, cubing fabrication/costing and machine performance on African fermented “okpeye” condiment quality attributes, compared with commercial bouillon types, were done. The processing of mesquite seeds into the “okpeye” condiment resembled those of artisans. Bouillon cube products involved the Star®, Knorr®, and Chicken® types. Quality attributes involved proximate, micronutrient, phytochemical, and microbial aspects. Results showed that the throughput capacity of a cubing machine increased with an efficiency of 48 condiment cubes/min, forming properly without separation. Across all studied samples, the protein, ash, moisture, crude fat, crude fibre, and carbohydrate contents were in the range of 1.45–42.50%, 5.29–6.75%, 8.50–12.29%, 2.56–18.54%, 2.45–3.19%, and 18.16–25.56%, respectively. The protein, fat, moisture, calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese contents of “okpeye” condiment were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of bouillon cubes. Fair amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, and E were found, with the “okpeye” condiment higher in vitamin E. Besides the flavonoids (0.12–0.18%), alkaloids (0.08–0.15%), saponins (0.19–0.55%), and tannins (0.69–0.93%) present, the microbial loads were similar (p > 0.05) across all samples. Indeed, the “okpeye” condiment can be cubed, and by quality attribute, it competes favourably, and very promising substitute to commercial bouillon cubes.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1333
Author(s):  
Hidde P. van Steenwijk ◽  
Aalt Bast ◽  
Alie de Boer

The importance of a well-functioning and balanced immune system has become more apparent in recent decades. Various elements have however not yet been uncovered as shown, for example, in the uncertainty on immune system responses to COVID-19. Fungal beta-glucans are bioactive molecules with immunomodulating properties. Insights into the effects and function of beta-glucans, which have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, advances with the help of modern immunological and biotechnological methods. However, it is still unclear into which area beta-glucans fit best: supplements or medicine? This review has highlighted the potential application of fungal beta-glucans in nutrition and medicine, reviewing their formulation, efficacy, safety profile, and immunomodulating effects. The current status of dietary fungal glucans with respect to the European scientific requirements for health claims related to the immune system and defense against pathogens has been reviewed. Comparing the evidence base of the putative health effects of fungal beta-glucan supplements with the published guidance documents by EFSA on substantiating immune stimulation and pathogen defense by food products shows that fungal beta-glucans could play a role in supporting and maintaining health and, thus, can be seen as a good health-promoting substance from food, which could mean that this effect may also be claimed if approved. In addition to these developments related to food uses of beta-glucan-containing supplements, beta-glucans could also hold a novel position in Western medicine as the concept of trained immunity is relatively new and has not been investigated to a large extent. These innovative concepts, together with the emerging success of modern immunological and biotechnological methods, suggest that fungal glucans may play a promising role in both perspectives, and that there are possibilities for traditional medicine to provide an immunological application in both medicine and nutrition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4778
Author(s):  
Mark Joseph Maranan Desamero ◽  
Soo-Hyun Chung ◽  
Shigeru Kakuta

Understanding the host anti-fungal immunity induced by beta-glucan has been one of the most challenging conundrums in the field of biomedical research. During the last couple of decades, insights on the role of beta-glucan in fungal disease progression, susceptibility, and resistance have been greatly augmented through the utility of various beta-glucan cognate receptor-deficient mouse models. Analysis of dectin-1 knockout mice has clarified the downstream signaling pathways and adaptive effector responses triggered by beta-glucan in anti-fungal immunity. On the other hand, assessment of CR3-deficient mice has elucidated the compelling action of beta-glucans in neutrophil-mediated fungal clearance, and the investigation of EphA2-deficient mice has highlighted its novel involvement in host sensing and defense to oral mucosal fungal infection. Based on these accounts, this review focuses on the recent discoveries made by these gene-targeted mice in beta-glucan research with particular emphasis on the multifaceted aspects of fungal immunity.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 598-602
Author(s):  
Vichien Lorch ◽  
M. Dianne Murphy ◽  
Linda R. Hoersten ◽  
Eva Harris ◽  
Jean Fitzgerald ◽  
...  

Eight small, premature infants developed an unusual symptom complex of pulmonary deterioration, thrombocytopenia, liver failure, ascites, and renal failure. five infants died; the health of the other three infants improved and they were discharged from the hospital. This unusual syndrome occurred after introduction of a new intravenous vitamin E product (E-Ferol, α-tocopherol acetate) for routine use in the intensive care nursery. Even though no definite conclusion was reached as to its cause, the administration of this intravenous vitamin E product appears to be a significant risk factor.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 1113-1114
Author(s):  
DALE L. PHELPS

Preventing handicaps in premature infants is a pressing goal, and vitamin E has been offering some hope for the prevention of one of the most emotionally distressing sequelae, blindness. The report of Speer et al1 confirms the observation of Chiswick et al2 that vitamin E may also reduce severe CNS hemorrhage, one of the other major handicapping conditions faced by the premature infant. Naturally, we welcome this information, but in our eagerness to find a cure, we must not blunt the sharp edge of critical examination of the data. Extreme caution must be still be exercised for the following reasons: (1) some questions have been raised about the data to be examined; (2) a third study suggests the opposite result3; and (3) there are significant differences in the vitamin E formulations that were used and those available for use in the United States.


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