Review on Structure, Functional and Nutritional Composition of Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Abstract

Barley is a resilient plant, tolerant of a range of conditions, which may have been cultivated since 15 000 BC (Fast & Caldwell, 2000). Cultivated barley, Hordeum vulgare, is mainly grown for animal feed, especially for pigs, for malting and brewing in the manufacture of beer, and distilling in whisky manufacture. A small amount of barley is used for food. Barley is one of the leading grain crops produced in the world with growing worldwide recognized as a source of food and many valuable nutritional components that enrich the human diet. Barley grain is used primarily for malting and livestock feeding, and the straw is also an important feedstuff when more desirable forages are not available