Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is one of the oldest domesticated crops. It is mainly grown for animal feed, especially for pigs, for malting and brewing in the manufacture of beer and for distilling in whiskey manufacturing.
Barley contains moderate levels of trypsin inhibitors, but the major problem with barley is the level of beta-glucans. Similar to xylans, beta-glucans increase the viscosity of the digesta, thus reducing the digestibility of nutrients. Again, the adverse affects of the beta-glucans can be reduced with the use of feed enzymes.
