Fractionation of Barley Flour Using Elusieve Processing: A Combination of Sieving and Air Classification

Abstract

The availability of winter barley in areas of the U.S. that are not well suited to grow corn, such as the mid-Atlantic states, makes it a feedstock of choice for fuel ethanol production in those regions. Recently, it was found that the Elusieve process, the combination of sieving and air classification (elutriation or aspiration), was effective in fiber separation from corn flour prior to fermentation. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the Elusieve process on the compositions of fractions from barley flour of a hulled (Thoroughbred) and a hulless (Doyce) barley variety. The barley grains were milled using a hammer mill and sieved into four size fractions. Air classification of the two largest size fractions using a commercial aspirator resulted in heavier fractions with higher starch, higher beta-glucan, and lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents. Hulls were preferentially carried into the lighter fractions, as signified by higher NDF contents of lighter fractions. Elusieve processing was more effective (higher separation factors) for the hulled variety than the hulless variety because higher hull presence caused increased carryover of hull into the lighter fractions for the hulled variety. The increase in beta-glucan and starch contents in barley flour, by hull separation using the combination of sieving and air classification, may increase ethanol productivity and may be beneficial in fuel ethanol production from barley when using a process that converts both starch and beta-glucans into fuel ethanol. Since the Elusieve process was most effective only when hulls were present, any dehulling operation prior to grinding would make Elusieve processing needless.