Nutritional Profiling of Some Barley Varieties and Their Potential as Animal Feed

Barley ranks as the second most produced cereal in Türkiye, primarily used in animal nutrition besides the brewing industry. Its nutritional value is influenced by several factors, including climate, soil type, harvest time, and cultivar. This study aimed to assess the nutritional characteristics of six barley cultivars grown in Türkiye. Key parameters analyzed included macro- and micro-mineral content, β-glucan, phytic acid, total and soluble pentosans, viscosity, total and phytate phosphorus levels, and metabolizable energy potential for poultry and ruminants. Each cultivar was evaluated in five replicates. Significant differences (p<0.01) were found in most nutritional values, except for dry matter, sugar, starch, and phytate phosphorus in relation to total phosphorus. The Kaya and Suleyman-98 cultivars showed higher nutritional potential in terms of energy for poultry, whereas the Kaya cultivar appeared more beneficial for ruminant feeding. These results suggest that cultivar selection is crucial in maximizing the nutritional benefits of barley in animal diets.