Methods to obtain fiber or beta-glucan from plant materials particularly oats and barley

摘要

A process for fractionating plant material such as barley and oat into components, including fiber or beta-glucan, wherein beta-glucan is concentrated without solubilization of the beta-glucan molecule. The method uses an organic solvent and water as a solvent for the slurrying of a grain flour. In addition to concentrating beta-glucan, other product fractions produced by the method include starch, and organic solvent solubles. If protease and/or amylase enzyme treatments are used, other product fractions include dextrin, protein hydrolysates and organic solvent solubles. The process is particularly effective in concentrating beta-glucans in a state close to its native form from the endosperm of barley and oat grains.