Comparison of structural makeup of four hulless barley varieties using diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine molecular structural makeup features of 3 newer hulless barley varieties (CDC Fibar, CDC Rattan, and HB08302) in comparison to the conventional feed-type barley variety in Canada (CDC McGwire) using diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy. The items included IR absorbed intensity (IR intensity unit, KM) peak area attributed to protein amide I (ca. 1715-1575 cm-1), amide II (ca. 1575-1490 cm-1), total carbohydrate (CHO; ca. 1188-820 cm-1), and structural carbohydrate (StCHO; ca. 1277-1190 cm-1); and ratio of amide I to II, amide I to CHO, and CHO to StCHO. There were no differences among barley varieties in CHO. While, CDC Fibar was greatest in protein amide I and II peak areas, as well as the ratio of protein amide I to CHO among barley varieties. Newer barley varieties were similar to each other, but were different from CDC McGwire in protein amide I to II ratios. In summary, DRIFT spectroscopy associated with both univariate and multivariate techniques can be used as tool to discriminate and classify the inherent molecular structural features among the different barley varieties.