Barley powder from Hordeum vulgare is a bulk cereal ingredient valued for its mixed-linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan soluble fibre — the marker measured by AOAC 995.16. Bionutricia supplies it to B2B and OEM formulators with the β-glucan content standardisable to your specification, from a JAKIM Halal-certified, FSSC 22000, US FDA-registered, GMP, HACCP and MeSTI facility in Malaysia, with a Certificate of Analysis on every lot.
Quick facts for formulators
- Botanical: Hordeum vulgare (barley), whole grain
- Functional marker: mixed-linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan (AOAC 995.16) — customizable to spec
- Form / colour: off-white powder · Solubility: soluble in water with sediment
- Moisture: <10% · pH: 4–6 · Particle size: >95% through 60 mesh
- Macros: protein 19–21%, carbohydrate 71–78%, fat 0% (typical)
- Allergen: contains gluten (barley cereal) — Annex II; not gluten-free
- Pack sizes: 1 kg · 5 kg · 20 kg
- Certifications: JAKIM Halal · FSSC 22000 · US FDA registered · GMP · HACCP · MeSTI · COA per lot
- Process patent: enzymatic + ultrasonic (MY-188945-A)
- Clean label: vegan, non-GMO, not irradiated, not a novel food · Origin: Malaysia
What is barley β-glucan powder?
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is one of the world’s oldest cereal grains and one of the richest sources of soluble β-glucan fibre. Bionutricia’s barley powder carries that β-glucan into a stable, easy-to-handle ingredient for food and supplement manufacturers. Because β-glucan functionality depends on how much soluble fibre the finished product delivers, Bionutricia can standardise the β-glucan content to a customer’s specification and document it by assay — turning a commodity grain into a defined functional raw material.
Active compound & standardisation
The functional component of barley is its mixed-linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan — a viscous, soluble dietary fibre concentrated in the grain’s endosperm cell walls. It is quantified by the enzymatic AOAC 995.16 (Megazyme) method, the accepted reference assay for cereal β-glucan. Bionutricia standardises the barley powder to a β-glucan level agreed with the customer, so a brand owner can build a finished product around a defined soluble-fibre dose rather than an undefined grain flour. Barley is a gluten-containing cereal; it is not suitable for gluten-free products.
How barley β-glucan works in the body (mechanism)
Barley β-glucan is a viscous soluble fibre. In the gut it forms a gel that increases the viscosity of the intestinal contents; this is thought to reduce reabsorption of bile acids, prompting the liver to draw on circulating cholesterol to make new bile acids — the mechanism most often cited for β-glucan’s effect on blood cholesterol. The same viscosity slows gastric emptying and glucose absorption, and the fibre is fermented by the colonic microbiota to short-chain fatty acids. Mechanism is provided as scientific background on the fibre; it is not a claim that this ingredient treats, cures or prevents any condition.
Clinical evidence on barley β-glucan
Barley β-glucan has one of the strongest evidence bases of any food fibre — strong enough that both EFSA and the US FDA have authorised a cholesterol-related health claim for it. The evidence below was generated by independent researchers and regulators; it is attributed to those bodies and provided as scientific context for formulators — the ability of any finished product to carry a claim depends on the β-glucan it delivers per serving.
| Area | Best available evidence | Result (attributed to the source) |
|---|---|---|
| Blood cholesterol — authorised claim | EFSA Article-14 opinion (2011); US FDA soluble-fibre CHD claim | Cause-and-effect established: barley β-glucan lowers blood LDL-cholesterol at ~3 g/day |
| LDL & total cholesterol | Meta-analysis of RCTs (Ho et al., Eur J Clin Nutr 2016) | Significant reductions in LDL-C, non-HDL-C and apoB vs control |
| Post-prandial glucose | Multiple RCTs / EFSA opinion on β-glucan & glycaemic response | β-glucan taken with a meal lowers the post-meal blood-glucose rise |
Health-claim wording and the qualifying dose are set by the regulator and apply to the finished food, not to the raw ingredient. Results describe barley β-glucan in research and regulatory settings and are not extrapolated to any Bionutricia finished product.
Typical specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Botanical source | Hordeum vulgare (barley), whole grain |
| Functional marker | Mixed-linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan (AOAC 995.16) — customizable to spec |
| Appearance / colour | Off-white powder |
| Moisture | < 10% |
| pH | 4–6 |
| Particle size / mesh | > 95% through 60 mesh |
| Solubility | Soluble in water with sediment |
| Protein / carbohydrate / fat | 19–21% / 71–78% / 0% (typical) |
| Heavy metals (Hg, As, Pb) | Hg ≤ 0.05 ppm, As ≤ 0.1 ppm, Pb ≤ 0.2 ppm |
| Microbial (APC, Y&M, coliform, E. coli) | APC ≤ 10⁴ cfu/g, Y&M ≤ 10³ cfu/g, coliforms ≤ 10² cfu/g, E. coli absent |
| Allergen | Contains gluten (barley) — Annex II; not gluten-free |
| Certifications | JAKIM Halal, FSSC 22000, US FDA registered, GMP, HACCP, MeSTI |
| Process patent | MY-188945-A (enzymatic + ultrasonic) |
| Shelf life | 18–24 months (confirm on lot COA), cool & dry |
| Pack sizes | 1 kg, 5 kg, 20 kg |
| Country of origin | Malaysia |
Full specification and a batch Certificate of Analysis are provided on request. Figures are typical values; confirm the current lot COA for release data and the agreed β-glucan level.
Applications
As a water-dispersible soluble-fibre ingredient, barley β-glucan powder blends into both dry and wet systems. Bionutricia supplies the bulk ingredient for B2B formulation; brand owners and manufacturers formulate it into their chosen finished format — health-supplement powders and drink mixes, meal-replacement and functional beverages, cereal and energy bars, bakery and breakfast systems — carrying a documented β-glucan level. Because barley contains gluten, formulators should carry the allergen declaration through to the finished label.
Why source barley β-glucan from Bionutricia?
Bionutricia Extract has manufactured standardized Malaysian food and botanical ingredients since 2006 under a full halal and international food-safety stack (JAKIM Halal, FSSC 22000, US FDA registration, GMP, HACCP, MeSTI), issuing a Certificate of Analysis on every lot. Its enzymatic-and-ultrasonic process is patented (MY-188945-A), and the β-glucan content is standardisable to your specification with no added fillers or preservatives. Bulk OEM, custom standardisation and spray-dry/packing are available. See the live barley powder product page for ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Standardized to what / can it be customized? Barley powder carrying mixed-linkage β-glucan assayed by AOAC 995.16; β-glucan content customizable to spec; batch COA per lot.
Is it halal? Yes — JAKIM Halal certified, also FSSC 22000, US FDA-registered, GMP, HACCP and MeSTI; halal documentation issued with each shipment.
Is it gluten-free? No — barley contains gluten (hordein) and is an Annex II allergen; not suitable for coeliacs. It is vegan and non-GMO.
How does the cholesterol claim work? EFSA and FDA recognise barley β-glucan lowers cholesterol at ~3 g/day; whether a finished product qualifies depends on its per-serving β-glucan — we supply the ingredient and the assay.
What formats can I make? We supply the bulk ingredient; you formulate it into supplement powders, drink mixes, bars, bakery, cereals and beverages.
MOQ & lead time? Pack sizes 1 kg, 5 kg, 20 kg; pre-order packing ~1–2 weeks. MOQ & pricing on quotation.
Samples? Paid samples for serious B2B enquiries.
Storage & shelf life? Cool & dry, away from humidity and pests; 18–24 months (confirm on lot COA).
