Barley contains high levels of soluble dietary Ðbre, including mixed linked 1 ] 3, 1 ] 4b-D-glucans (b-glucan). An extract of b-glucan from waxy, hulless barley containing 56% total dietary Ðbre (TDF) was incorporated into Ñour tortillas, cornstarch pudding and apple granola bars to provide 2 g soluble Ðbre as b-glucan per serving. The foods were tested for objective functional properties. Flour tortillas with b-glucan were incorporated into rat diets and compared to diets containing an equivalent amount of cellulose, to test the Ðbre e †ect on growth and lipid metabolism parameters. Rats fed b-glucan tortillas had lower feed consumption and body weight (P \ 0É05) compared to those fed the cellulose tortillas, although feed/gain ratios were not di †erent (P [ 0É05). Plasma LDL-cholesterol of rats fed b-glucan was lower (P \ 0É05) than cellulose-fed controls, although total cholesterol and triglycerides did not di †er (P [ 0É05). Rats fed b-glucan tortillas had higher (P \ 0É05) faecal fat excretion, suggesting impairment of intestinal fat absorption. Liver composition data showed lower (P \ 0É05) levels of total lipid and cholesterol in b-glucan-fed rats. The results suggest that the barley b-glucan concentrate has potential as a food ingredient to provide supplemental soluble Ðbre which may be beneÐcial in reducing plasma LDL-cholesterol in humans.
1998 SCI.