Study on antidiabetic activity of wheat and barley starch using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation coupled with multiangle light scattering

The ability of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled online with multiangle light scattering (MALS) and refractive index detector (RI) (AF4-MALS–RI) for monitoring of change in molecular conformation of wheat and barley starch during germination process was evaluated. AF4 provides separation of starch molecules based on their hydrodynamic sizes, and MALS yields the molar mass and molecular size (radius of gyration, Rg). In vitro and in vivo anti-hyperglycemic effect of germinated wheat and barley was studied. The relationship between antidiabetic activity and molecular conformation was, for the first time, investigated. The ratio of Rg to the hydrodynamic radius (Rh) and the apparent density were proven to be important parameters as they offer an insight into molecular conformation. Results showed that, when geminated, the apparent density and the antidiabetic activity of barley were significantly increased, suggesting germination makes the molecules more compact which could contribute to enhancement of their antidiabetic activity. The information obtained by AF4-MALS–RI is valuable for understanding of germination mechanism, and thus for developing functional foods.