Evaluation of Hulless Barley for Potential Ethanol Production

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate potential of winter hulless barley as a local feedstock for ethanol production in Oklahoma. Two hulless barley varieties, Eve and VA125 from Marshall, Perkins, Stillwater and Buffalo locations were analyzed in this research. Milling characteristics of the samples were evaluated. Chemical composition such as starch, beta-glucan, protein, ash, moisture, and oil contents of the samples were also analyzed. Ethanol conversion efficiency of whole grain and flour samples were examined. This study demonstrated that winter hulless barley has similar starch content to corn. Genotype and environmental conditions had significant effects on the barley grain composition. Dry milling produced high starch content fractions from barley grain. Winter hulless barley could be converted to ethanol from with acceptable yields. Optimization of dry milling and ethanol conversion process parameters could further improve the economic feasibility of barley to ethanol conversion operations. It was concluded that winter hulless barley can be a viable feedstock for ethanol production plants to be built in Oklahoma.