In this study Cichorium intybus L. roots were tested for its chemical composition, antioxidant activity, and phenolic profile. Optimization of ultrasonic inulin extraction using response surface methodology (RSM) was further investigated. Chicory roots were found to have high value of total carbohydrates (70.43%), soluble fiber (66.93), Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (33.07%), potassium (380 mg/100g), calcium (540 mg/100g) and sodium (140 mg/100g). Chicory roots exhibit a high content of flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins. Antioxidant activity measurement reveals the capacity of Chicory roots to scavenge diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Phenolic acids profile shows the abundance of vanillic acid (19.64%) followed by protocatechuic acid (15.67%). The effect of three independent variables namely extraction time, the ratio of water to raw material and temperature on inulin extraction was studied. Optimum deciding responses were Inulin content, Total Soluble Solids (TSS) content and Water produced inulin yield. The optimal ultrasonic extraction conditions were: extraction time 87 min, liquid to solid ratio 38 (ml/g) and ultrasonic temperature 61°C. Under these conditions, the inulin content, TSS content and produced inulin yield were 35.92%, 24.72%, and 32.53%, respectively. The produced inulin was characterized by the Fourier infrared transformation (FTIR) and observed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of diet enriched with dietary fiber of barley variety "Rihane" and azoxymethane on serum and liver lipid variables in male rats. Forty male rats were divided into four groups and fed on control diet or experimental diet that contained control enriched with dietary fiber of barley variety "Rihane". Animals were injected with saline (controls) or azoxymethane (20 mg/kg body weight s.c.) at 7 and 8 weeks of age. The experimental diet significantly decreased cholesterol level compared with the control diet. Rats fed with BR diet significantly increased the serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and significantly decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations. The experimental diet decreased the atherogenic index (p < 0.05) compared with the control diet. Whereas the azoxymethane induced a significant increase of liver lipid, serum LDL and triglyceride concentrations, but it caused a significant reduction of HDL. Consequently, the ratio of HDL/TC decreased significantly compared with the control (p < 0.05). Accordingly, these results indicated that the diet enriched with dietary fiber of barley variety "Rihane" could be effective in decreasing the atherogenic risk factors in rats whereas the use of the azoxymethane as colon-specific carcinogen substance altered the lipid metabolism.

The main objective of this study is to extract water-soluble barley (1→3) and (1→4)-β-d-glucans (β-glucans) from milled seeds of two common Tunisian barley cultivars (Manel and Rihane). A mixture of these barley β-glucans was added to spaghetti made with semolina of durum wheat. Cooking quality related traits of functional spaghetti made with durum wheat semolina was investigated. Four spaghetti samples prepared from semolina added with β-glucan ratios: 1, 3, 5 and 7 g/100 g; were developed and compared to the check. Samples were assessed for water absorption, optimal cooking time, cooking loss, swelling index, colour, carotenoids pigments, hardness, moisture, proteins and ash content. Results indicated that spaghetti added with Tunisian barley β-glucans have a good brightness and acceptable general aspect compared to the check. Spaghetti samples showed lower moisture and proteins contents and higher mineral contents and cooking loss. Lower swelling index and hardness properties were noted in incorporated pasta.

Selection within elite barley cultivars is assumed to be ineffective due to the belief that inbred cultivars are highly homogeneous. The objective of the present work was to evaluate a selection procedure (Honeycomb design) applied within five barley cultivars (Manel, Rihane, Kounouz, Lemsi, and Imen) and two Tunisian landraces (Ardhaoui and Djebali) under ultra-low plant density (1.2 plants m−2) towards selecting high-performance lines with resistance to Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV (BYDV-PAV). Lines selected through this process were further field-evaluated in hill plots under artificial BYDV-PAV inoculation and uninoculated control conditions during the 2016–2017 cropping season. Artificial inoculation in the field caused a severe reduction in agronomic performance traits, with yield loss reaching around 60%. However, two lines (IH16-H1 and IH4-L0) originating from cultivar Imen were significantly superior over the mother variety in the control field, showing at the same time minimum yield loss after BYDV-PAV inoculation not exceeding 10%, similar to the resistant check. Genotyping of the lines for the Ryd2 and Ryd3 resistance genes and assessment of visual symptoms in the field associated with reduction in yield revealed an additive effect of the genes conferring resistance to BYDV-PAV. However, there were lines with genotypic patterns that did not match the patterns of the source material, providing insights for exploitable intra-cultivar diversity within the barley cultivars and landraces assessed.

Two Tunisian barley varieties, Martin and Rihane, differing by their degrees of adaptation to the environmental conditions and grain yield potential, were grown under different levels of nitrogen (N) fertilisation. The effect of nitrogen supply on the hordein components (expressed in mg per albumen) was determined by Nu-PAGE electrophoresis system using the MOBS running buffer and densitometric analysis. Increasing nitrogen fertilisation increased the protein content by increasing the amount of C-hordeins. The sub-fraction BIII of high molecular weight B-hordeins appeared, in the present study, as the best criterion for distinguishing between the two barley varieties genetic adaptation, and its quantification could be recommended for the understanding of the quality properties of the barley response to different environmental conditions particularly nitrogen fertilisation which appears to be the main origin of differences in the protein aggregation mode of different B-hordein sulphur-rich sub-fractions.