Naked Barley – a rediscovered source for functional food
Abstract
Cereal-based foods represent the bulk of all foods consumed and their contribution to human nutrition and health should be considered cumulative, immediate and significant. The concept of “functional foods” has become popular in recent years. Certain constituents of cereals are not considered as essential but may promote beneficial physiological effects (beyond vitamins and minerals). Naked (hulless) barley, which is the subject of this project, possesses interesting technological properties and is due to its high contents on dietary fibre (beta-glucan) and secondary plant metabolites (polyphenols and carotenoids) recognised as valuable nutritional source. Only recently, cereal science has started to look into the potential of secondary plant metabolites as natural antioxidants. Reports on their content, as well as technological properties during food processing are scarce. Furthermore, most of the available data have been collected in the USA or Canada and do not necessarily reflect the contents in European varieties. Besides, their contents have been underestimated and full characterisation of the phytochemicals has been deficient. Therefore, we discern a need for this proposed research. Our approach in this project is to combine selection (breeding programme), processing and analytical expertise in an innovative way within 3 work packages. Based on an existing collection of genetic resources of naked barley we will select genotypes rich in either dietary fibre (beta-glucan) and/or secondary plant metabolites. Within the technology work package the project will emphasise the utilisation of such raw materials and will determine changes in these health beneficial components during processing. With new evidence about the antioxidant capacity of cereal-based foods, the project will contribute in an important way to consumer health and quality of life. The project is highly multi-disciplinary, with competent scientists in the fields of agriculture, technology, analytics and nutrition. The variation of Austrian-grown barley germplasm from conventional cross breeding will be explored with respect to known nutritionally-important and potentially health-relevant constituents. Long term, enhanced genotypes can be added to the gene-pool database, with the advantage of adaptation to the environmental growing conditions. This will positively affect the diversity and sustainability in Austrian agriculture. The food industry is generally confronted with the increasing globalisation and customisation, resulting in dwindling of local produce and typical Austrian food. After successful termination of this project the way for food with added nutritional benefit to the consumers is smoothed.
Publikationen
Yellow Pigments in wheat species: determination and influence of processing
Autoren: Siebenhandl-Ehn S., H. Grausgruber, R. Schuhmacher, F. Eticha, L. Leopold, M. Kinner, E. Berghofer Jahr: 2008
Journal articles
Naked Barley – A rediscovered source for functional foods!
Autoren: Kinner, M., S. Siebenhandl-Ehn, H. Grausgruber, K. Huber, S. Nitschko, M. Prückler, M. Poppenitsch, E. Berghofer Jahr: 2009
Journal articles
Nacktgerste - vom Korn zum Mehl und dann?
Autoren: Kinner M., K. Huber, H. Grausgruber, S. Siebenhandl-Ehn, E. Berghofer Jahr: 2009
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Naked barley – Opportunities for food with more than taste
Autoren: Kinner M., S. Siebenhandel-Ehn, H. Grausgruber, G. Kronawetter, L. Pérez Berrocal, T. Gollinger, P. Wurbs, M. Prückler, E. Berghofer Jahr: 2010
Journal articles
Mitarbeiter*Innen
Susanne Siebenhandl-Ehn
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Susanne Siebenhandl-Ehn
Project Leader
01.09.2007 - 31.08.2010
Emmerich Berghofer
Ao.Univ.Prof.i.R. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Emmerich Berghofer
emmerich.berghofer@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.09.2007 - 31.08.2010
Heinrich Grausgruber
Ao.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Heinrich Grausgruber
heinrich.grausgruber@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-95711
Project Staff
01.09.2007 - 31.08.2010
Michael Prückler
Ing. Dipl.-Ing. Michael Prückler
michael.prueckler@chello.at
Project Staff
01.09.2007 - 31.08.2010