as well as in final products. In addition B-glucan content may influence flour water absorption and sensory properties. This study documented changes in glucan content, as well as in the ratio of soluble to insoluble B-glucans with roasting.
The average B-glucan content of nonroasted barley samples was 3.8%, with a range of 3.2 to 4.5% (Table III). Hulless variety Demhay had the highest B-glucan content followed by Himblil; Sihumay had the lowest content. Roasting affected total, soluble, and insoluble B-glucan contents (Fig. 2). Total P-glucan content was slightly reduced in roasted samples compared with nonroasted samples. Insoluble B-glucan showed a linear decrease with increased roasting time for all samples, with a mean decrease of 21.5 and 36.7% for tihni and kolo processed samples, respectively. Soluble B-glucan content increased (mean increase of 11.7%) from lightly roasted tihni to well-roasted kolo samples. Although the changes observed were modest, the apparent increased solubility of insoluble B-glucan in well roasted kolo samples indicates kolo may have a nutritional advantage over nonroasted barley grain