β-Glucan and Phytic Acid Content of Oats Cultivated in Finland

Abstract

Abstract β-Glucan and phytic acid contents of five oat varieties were investigated in four variety trials during a two-year period. β-Glucan content was studied in groats and phytic acid content in groats and hull mass and calculated for total grain. Average β-glucan content varied from 1.9 to 5.1% in different trials, and total phytic acid content was from 5.6 to 8.7 mg/g. Significant differences were found in the contents of both chemical compounds in different varieties. β-Glucan content had a negative correlation (r = -0.931; P <0.05) with protein content and a positive correlation with thousand grain weight (r =0.896; P <0.05) in the variety material. The correlation of phytic acid content was significantly positive with protein content (r = 0.959; P<0.01) in the variety material. A significant negative correlation was found between β-glucan and phytic acid contents of groats (r = - 0.993; P <0.001) in the variety material. Within the varieties the correlations between the β-glucan and phytic acid contents were positive but insignificant, however. Phytic acid content was increased by nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization as well as by the high mean temperature of the growing period and decreased by high precipitation in the total material and within varieties.