Comparative Study on Beta-Glucan Content and Proximate Composition of Spring Barley Seeds Genotypes Obtained in Different Crop Systems

This paper explores the proximate composition of spring barley seeds and the beta-glucan's content in various tworowed spring barley genotypes cultivated using different agricultural systems. The genotypes originated from both autochthonous and foreign sources and were grown under conventional, ecological, and no-treatment conditions. The proximate analysis of spring barley seeds was performed using near-infrared spectrometry, while the beta-glucan content was determined enzymatically. The data analysis included principal component analysis and cluster analysis to identify ideal candidates for specific applications. The results indicated that the conventional cultivation system yielded higher levels of starch, sugar, protein and ash content; conversely, the ecological and no-treatment systems showed variations in nutritional parameters, with the no-treatment approach resulting in significantly higher beta-glucan and fat content. In line with previous research, this study highlights the influence of genotype and agricultural practices on the barley seeds' composition. Overall, this research contributes to a better understanding of the nutritional composition of barley seeds and offers insights into selecting specific barley genotypes for various applications in the food, feed, and brewing industries; it also underscores the potential for utilizing spring barley's beta-glucan to enhance the nutritional value of various products, promoting cardiovascular and digestive health.