Consortium: Beta-glucans

HIGH ß-GLUCAN BARLEYS

AN INTEGRATED STUDY FROM GENETICS AND AGRONOMY THROUGH CHEMICAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS TO HUMAN NUTRITION AND HEALTH

Description:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most important cause of isquemic events which reduce the quality of life in the western world. The global aim of the project is to promote a healthy vascular ageing that should prevent the development of CVD and attenuate its progression by using a dietary approach through the intake of barley with high β-glucan content. The proposal is a multidisciplinary research project that integrates the expertise of 6 teams in experimental and clinical nephrology, biochemical iology, human nutrition, food science and technology, crop production and crop breeding and a seed company. Within each objective there are professionals with specific and complementary skills.
The project will provide insights on the crop breeding, agronomic performance and physiology of synthesis of β-glucans, and other important components of the grains, as well as the mechanisms by which β- glucans can provide benefits for healthy ageing. The results of the project will permit the transfer from crop production and food technology innovations to possible health benefits and health claims for future developed food products that could be included in the daily diet for healthy ageing.
Researchers from theUniversidad de Zaragoza, Universidad Pública de Navarra y Universidad de Lleidaparticipate in this consortium.

Research lines:

  • To develop barley cultivars or lines with high β-glucans and also good agronomic performance under Mediterranean environments.
  • To study the genetic factors regulating β-glucan content.
  • To characterize quantitatively the physiology of β-glucan dynamics on grain accumulation from different barley lines with high β-glucan contents and its relationship with other grain components and main management practices such as nitrogen fertlisation.
  • To provide a process for obtaining β-glucan from barley and to analyze their physiochemical and funtional properties. Also to explore the industrial utilization of β-glucan extracts in cosmetics (topical creams and gels for therapeutic treatment) and as additives in foods due to their gel forming characteristics.

Consortium Presentation:

The multidisciplinary research team brings together the disciplines of crop genetics, crop physiology, agronomy, chemistry, food science and technology, and human health and diet to address the issue from the source to health benefits. Through integration of fundamental and applied research teams from the Universities of Lleida, Zaragoza, Public of Navarra, CSIC AULA DEI, IRB Lleida, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (IAMZ), and in addition, a seed company, Semillas Batlle. Therefore, 10 main researchers are involved: Roxana Savin (IP), Gustavo A. Slafer, M. Paz Romero, Adriana Dusso, Marian Moralejo, Ignacio Romagosa, Luis Cistue, Luis Moreno, Remedios Marin and Francisco Batlle. Based on the experience and resources available from the research groups in the consortium, it is possible to ensure the viability of the proposal and the possibilities to tackle new projects together.

Members:

University

  • Roxana Savin (PI, University of Lleida and Agrotecnio)
  • Luis Alberto Moreno Aznar (Coordinator, University of Zaragoza)
  • Mª Remedios Marín Arroyo (Coordinator, Public University of Navarra)
  • Marian Moralejo Vidal _ University of Lleida
  • Ana María Casas Cendoya _ EEAD-CSIC
  • Ana María Ferrer Mairal _ University of Zaragoza
  • Ernesto Igartua Arregui _ EEAD-CSIC
  • Adriana Dusso _ Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias del Principado de Asturias
  • Luis Cistue _ CSIC
  • Ignacio Romagosa _ University of Lleida
  • María Paz Romero _ University of Lleida
  • Gustavo A. Slafer _ University of Lleida

Other entities:

  • Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias del Principado de Asturias
  • EEAD-CSIC
  • CSIC
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