Barley is being considered as an alternative feed stock for ethanol production in farmlands outside the “corn belt” of the United States. Compared to corn, however, barley has a lower starch content, and has an abrasive hull which causes wear and tear in milling equipment. It also has a “troublesome” polysaccharide called beta-glucan, which renders barley mash difficult for fermentation and distillation.

Researchers at the Eastern Regional Research Center (IRRC) in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, are looking for naturally “hull-less” barley varieties with high starch content. In addition, they are looking into the use of beta-glucanase enzymes to break down high viscosity of the barley mash prior to fermentation..