The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Bid to revive naked barley adapted to UK climate
Researcher says health benefits are hard to ignore
Researchers at Harper Adams have been exploring the potential of reviving a largely forgotten yet highly beneficial breed of barley.
Naked barley was an important crop in the Bronze Age, but has since been almost entirely absent from production in the UK.
According to the Shropshire-based university varieties of naked barley adapted to the British climate have long been lost, and those from further afield perform poorly in wetter cooler summers.
However, because its health benefits are considered so great, a research project has been launched to establish a variety that is more versatile.
Dr Edward Dickin, Harper Adams lecturer and project lead, said: “There is evidence that the beta glucan in naked barley can help with type 2 diabetes as it aids blood glucose metabolism.
“Type 2 diabetes currently accounts for just over 8% of the annual NHS budget.”
Dr Dickin said, importantly, naked barley also carries the beta glucan soluble fibre known to support the control of cholesterol levels.
“These health benefits are hard to ignore, and this is why a number of undergraduate students and I have been looking at producing a barley crop better adapted to the UK climate,” he said.
Due to the structure of naked barley, the whole grain is able to be used without processing.
“Oats contain beta glucan as well, but require specialist processing; naked barley grain can be milled like wheat,” added Dr Dickin.
“Naked barley hasn’t been a common crop here since the Bronze Age because the yield quantity is lower than covered barley, making it an unviable crop for farmers. We hope to change that.
“When most people think of barley they will probably think of beer,” he added. “Beer uses a different variety of barley that has actually been bred to reduce beta-glucan because it reduces alcohol yield.
“I’ve been crossing naked barley varieties from around the world to try to find a variety of the crop which is suitably adapted to the UK climate and produces higher yields.
“From the current generation we’re working on we’re getting a good yield, but further testing needs to be done and it will be a few years before a variety could be released for farmers,” said Dr Dickin.
“Several food companies are interested in the crop, and the first product made from UK-grown naked barley, tasty barley flakes for porridge and baking, went on the market in 2016.”