STRUCTURE OF TOTAL BARLEY BETA-GLUCAN1

Abstract
The fine structure of total barley β-glucan, as extracted by hot perchloric acid, was investigated by partial enzymatic hydrolysis. Molecular weight profiles of the resulting oligomeric products were similar to those from hydrolysed 40°C water-soluble β-glucan. Concentrations of individual oligosaccharides from total β-glucan were found to vary between oats and barley and among barley varieties, suggesting variability in β-glucan structure. Methylation studies, using HPLC to separate methylated sugars, showed no evidence for the presence of contiguous β-1,3 links in total barley β-glucan, although not all fractions of total β-glucan were analysed.