# Macromolecular characterization of high β-glucan oat lines

## TL;DR

This study characterizes new oat lines with high β-glucan content and explores their macromolecular composition and biosynthetic pathways.

## Contribution

The study identifies new oat lines with elevated β-glucan levels and reveals independent regulation of β-glucans and other macromolecules.

## Key findings

- High β-glucan levels in mutated oat lines significantly increased total dietary fiber.
- No correlation was found between β-glucan and other macromolecules like arabinoxylan, starch, lipids, or proteins.
- Ethyl methyl sulphonate mutagenesis can independently alter multiple macromolecules in oat lines.

## Abstract

Oat (Avena sativa) is a cereal grain rich in fibers, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Oats have been linked to several health benefits, such as lowering blood cholesterol levels, counteracting cardiovascular disease and regulating blood sugar levels. This study aimed to characterize two new oat lines with high β-glucan content emanating from ethyl methyl sulphonate mutagenesis on the Lantmännen elite variety Belinda. Two of the mutated lines, and the mother variety Belinda, were profiled for β-glucan, arabinoxylan, total dietary fiber and starch composition. In addition, total lipid and protein content, amino acid composition and β-glucan molecular weights were analyzed. The high levels of β-glucan resulted in a significant increase in total dietary fiber, but no correlation could be established between higher or lower levels of the assayed macromolecules, i.e., between arabinoxylan-, starch-, lipid- or protein levels in the mutated lines compared to the reference. The results indicate separate biosynthetic pathways for β-glucans and other macromolecules and an independent regulation of the different polysaccharides studied. Therefore, ethyl methyl sulphonate mutagenesis can be used to increase levels of multiple macromolecules in the same line.

Image 1