ARS | Publication request: Tocol Content of Barley CAP germplasm, Preliminary Results

Submitted to: North American Barley Research Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 6, 2008
Publication Date: October 26, 2008
Citation: Wise, M.L. 2008. Tocol Content of Barley CAP germplasm, Preliminary Results. In: North American Barley Research Workshop Proceedings, October 26-29, 2008, Madison, Wisconsin. p. 38.

Technical Abstract: Tocochromanols (tocols) is the collective term for vitamin E active constituents found primarily in plants. These compounds have potent anti-oxidant properties and are a recommended nutrient for human health. Although the precise benefits of vitamin E are not known, diets deficient in vitamin E appear to be associated with atherosclerosis. Moreover, the tocotrienols, tocols incorporating a polyunsaturated isoprene chain, are known to reduce cholesterol levels in several experimental models, including humans. Barley provides a moderate source for tocols compared to other grains such as wheat and rye, however, they are relatively rich in the tocotrienols and they produce all eight naturally occurring tocol congeners. Moreover, from the few published accounts on barley tocol production, there appears to be significant genotypic variation. The present study presents preliminary data from analysis of tocol composition of the first two years of the Barley Coordinated Agriculture Project (Barley CAP).