Chemometric characterization of twenty barley varieties/lines based upon mineral profiling

Abstract

Different varieties of cereal grains differ in their nutritional composition and product making characteristics. Barley is an underutilized and neglected food crop in Pakistan. Mainly barley is used as source of carbohydrates but is also an imperative source of minerals specially potassium, calcium and phosphorus. Although, the importance of these minor constituents as minerals is of significant importance for human nutrition, the micronutrients of different Pakistani barley varieties have not been studied up till now. The aim of this study was to characterize the mineral profile of Pakistani grown barley varieties from different geographical regions. Ash content in different barley varieties ranged between 1.32-2.00%. Potassium (409-585 mg/100g) and phosphorus (307-446 mg/100g) were found to be highest minerals in all varieties while selenium (0.04-0.30 mg/kg) and cobalt (3.1-24.2 µg/kg) were found in trace amount. Overall, the varieties grown in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KPK) province were found to be potentially good source of minerals especially iron and calcium. However, the varieties grown in Sindh province were found to be poor sources of minerals excluding sodium. Three statistically significant clusters were identified using chemometric tools. Barley variety Rakhshan-10 showed highest ash content and overall presented better mineral profile. Significant differences in mineral content were found in all barley varieties grown in different locations. Overall, findings of this study will help the food industries in selection of barley variety/ies with high mineral profile to be incorporated in barley-based food products.