Barley ß-glucan bioactive films: Promising eco-friendly materials for wound healing.

Mixtures containing ß-glucans were extracted from barley, under both mild and high alkaline conditions, to prepare biodegradable films (MA and HA, respectively), as natural dressings with intrinsic therapeutic properties. An in-depth characterization was performed to evaluate the impact of mild and high alkaline conditions on chemical, physicochemical, and biological features for potential use in wound treatments. Both MA and HA films exhibited a good ability to absorb water and simulate wound fluid, which helps maintain optimal tissue hydration. Moreover, their oxygen permeability (147.6 and 16.4 cm3 × µm/m2 × 24 h × Pa × 107, respectively) appeared adequate for the intended application. Biocompatibility tests showed that the films do not harm human dermal fibroblasts. Impressively, they promote cell attachment and growth, with MA having a stronger effect due to its higher ß-glucan content. Furthermore, MA films can modulate macrophage behaviour in an inflamed microenvironment, reducing oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines, while simultaneously increasing levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. In a scratch test, HA films allowed for faster fibroblast migration within the first 16 h compared to MA. Overall, this study demonstrates that developing ß-glucan based films from barley, through a sustainable and cost-effective process, holds great promise for skin applications. These films exhibit significant potential to promote wound healing and modulate inflammation.

Bioactive films based on barley ß-glucans and ZnO for wound healing applications.

In this study, mixtures based on ß-glucans and proteins are extracted from barley, in mild (MA) and high (HA) alkaline conditions, and employed with zinc oxide (ZnO) to prepare bioactive films for wound healing. Composition of extracts and properties of resulting films depend on pH extraction conditions. MA based samples show weak physical interactions among mixture components, whereas in HA films the extent of these interactions is larger. Consequently, their chemico-physical properties are significantly different, as demonstrated by FT-IR, thermal, mechanical and morphological analyses. ZnO with its bound water molecules acts as a slight plasticizer in MA, as shown by the lower Tg and the decrease of elastic modulus. In HA, this effect is evidenced up to ZnO 1%, and above this concentration an increase of strength at break is observed. Finally, MA and HA films show intrinsic antimicrobial properties, enhanced by ZnO, which make them exploitable as wound dressings.

Altering the rate of glucose release from starch-based foods by spray-drying with an extract from barley.

BACKGROUND: Health outcomes associated with sustained elevated blood glucose may be better managed by limiting glucose availability for uptake. Glucose release from consumed starch may be altered using various methods, but many are not suitable for high-carbohydrate foods. This study describes an approach to protect starch granules, while generally maintaining their physical characteristics, with an extract from barley using spray-drying. RESULTS: The use of the extract resulted in the coating of the starch granules with a film-like material composed of ß-glucans and proteins. This coincided with a reduction in starch digestion and a significant increase in the indigestible (resistant) starch component. Substitution of the starch component in a model snack bar by the coated starch was also associated with lowering starch digestion in the bar. CONCLUSION: The barley extract provides a physical barrier that may limit the exposure of starch to the digestive enzymes and water, with a consequent reduction in starch digestion and the rate of glucose release. It is possible, therefore, to produce wheat starch with lower digestibility and glucose release rate that may be used as a healthier substitute in high-carbohydrate foods by coating the granules with polymers extracted from barley cereals through spray-drying.

Modifying glucose release from high carbohydrate foods with natural polymers extracted from cereals.

BACKGROUND: Sustained elevated blood glucose and insulin levels are linked to many health problems that may be prevented or better managed by controlling glucose availability for uptake. Glucose release from consumed starch may be altered by the processing conditions, particle size and structural features of the food, and by the addition of dietary fibres. Many approaches to lower glucose release are not suitable for all high carbohydrate foods, especially bakery products. Methods to modulate the starch digestion without compromising product quality are required. This study describes an approach to protect the granules and alter the particle size of the starch component using an extract from barley (BE). Wheat starch was suspended in the BE at different ratios and cast dried, milled to 2-3 mm particles, or finely ground to produce different particle sizes. RESULTS: The BE treatments resulted in the formation of clusters of starch granules embedded in a matrix of fibres and protein. The rate of in vitro starch digestion was decreased, and further reduction occurred when the particle size of the starch material increased. CONCLUSION: The extract provided a physical barrier that limited the starch exposure to the digestion enzymes and water that led to reduction in starch digestion and the release of glucose.