Evaluation of Proximate and Mineral Composition Profile for Different Food Barley Varieties Grown in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Barley ( Hordeum Vulgare L. ) is the healthiest cereal crop which is mainly grown in the central highland of Ethiopia. Also there were 22 food barley varieties which were improved, verified and released by different Agricultural Research Centers specially Holeta Agricultural Research Center which is strongly working on barley breading program. Therefore in order to evaluate their nutritional composition and quality performance of the varieties this study was aimed to profile the baseline information of nutrients. For this case the proximate and some mineral composition of the varieties were determined by using appropriate Standard Official Procedures. The proximate composition was determined according to AOAC method and like CP, MC, Crude fat, Crude fiber, Total ash, CHO and Energy were analyzed. All the proximate analysis result means were statistically significant and they were in the range of acceptable recommendation as FAO and other nutritional information sources. Varieties like Cross 41/98, Setegn, Estayish, HB1307, Ardu12-60B and Belemi were the highest in mean value of CP, Total ash, Crude fiber, Crude fat and CHO respectively. The mineral content of the varieties were also statistically significant as the study results and it was in average range of expected composition. Shege, Belemi, Agegnehu and Besso Varieties were significantly highest in Ca, K, Zn, Fe and Mg mean values than other varieties respectively. Therefore these food barley varieties were potent in proximate and mineral nutrient composition for human consumption especially good fiber content source.