title: Effect of a low molecular weight, high-purity β-glucan on in vitro digestion and glycemic response.
abstract: β-Glucans are believed to lower postprandial glycemia due to their ability to increase viscosity and slow down gastric emptying. The effect of high-purity barley β-glucan (Glucagel) was tested on in vitro starch digestibility and glycemic response of chapattis. In a randomized controlled crossover trial, 10 healthy human subjects consumed chapattis containing 0, 4 and 8% β-glucan on different occasions. Capillary blood samples were collected before and at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after consuming the chapattis. There was no significant difference either in the amount of glucose released after in vitro digestion or in the glycemic response to chapattis with 0, 4 and 8% β-glucan (P>0.05). It may be concluded that low molecular weight barley β-glucan, although of 75% purity, was not effective in lowering glycemic response possibly due to its inability to influence starch digestion and particle breakdown during in vitro digestion.
authors.affiliation: Functional Food Centre, School of Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK. pthondre@brookes.ac.uk
authors.forename: Pariyarath Sangeetha
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Thondre
authors.forename: Christiani Jeya Kumar
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Henry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D038321:Glycemic Index; D001467:Hordeum / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D019518:Postprandial Period; D055815:Young Adult; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D010936:Plant Extracts; D047071:beta-Glucans