Tibetan Hull‐less Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a Potential Source of Antioxidants

Abstract

Tibetan hull‐less barley grows at above 4,000 m altitude. One variety grown in the plain and three varieties grown in Tibet were collected from Tianjin and Lhasa. The barleys were polished into five fractions. Total soluble phenolic content (TSPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and their correlation were investigated. Phenolic compounds were analyzed by HPLC, and TSPC content was evaluated by the Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric method. TAC was measured using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonate), and ferric reducing ability of plasma assays. Results showed that TSPC decreased from the outer to the inner fractions, with the outermost layer containing the highest (around 2,803–7,703 μg/g) and inner endosperm the lowest (around 870–1,348 μg/g). TSPC and TAC were highly and positively correlated (r = 0.9583–0.9710). Colored hull‐less barley had higher antioxidant activity than uncolored. TSPC and TAC of Tibetan varieties in the outer layers were more than two‐fold higher than that of Tianjin hull‐less barley. Tibetan hull‐less barley bran extracts are valuable sources of bioactive components with antioxidant activity.

Starch digestibility and bioactivity of high altitude hulless barley

“…TPC did not show a very significant correlation (p<0.05) with growing altitude of the cultivars. Gong et al (2012) reported similar levels of total phenolic content in Tibetan hulless barley. Total flavonoid content (TFC) of whole barley flour varied significantly (p<0.05) within cultivars (Table 3) …”

Antioxidant activity of Qingke (highland hull‐less barley) after extraction/hydrolysis and in vitro simulated digestion

“…The antioxidant compound profile, including phenolics and flavonoids, of Qingke has been partly examined, and studies have suggested that this cultivar possesses a unique antioxidant compound profile with potential health benefits and ability to mitigate oxidative stress (Du, Zhu, & Xu, ; Gong, Jin, Wu, Wu, & Zhang, ; Liu et al, ; Zhu et al, ). However, limited information is available about the antioxidant potential of Qingke.…”

Characteristics of three typical Chinese highland barley varieties: Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities

“…Lahouar et al () showed that whole grain barley has an anticarcinogenic effect on azoxymethane‐induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. However, in contrast to other whole grains, previous investigations on highland barley mainly focus on highland barley bran extracts (Gong, Jin, Wu, Wu, & Zhang, ) and the changes in their anthocyanins during seed maturation and after harvest (Kohyama, Ono, & Yanagisawa, ). Few studies have reported the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities of highland barley.…”