The relation between fatty acids’ chemical profile and chemotaxonomy of Czech barley (Hordeum vulgare) varieties, geographical origin and malting process

The dependence of FA profiles in barley and malt on variety and geographical origin using an optimized method was determined. FA profiles from 6 Czech varieties, each from 5 localities during two crop years were studied. The extraction of lipids and FA with hexane by fluidized bed extraction and a hydrolysis of lipids prior to derivatization of FA was used. The statistical processing of FA profiles led to a differentiation of samples; the importance of distinguishing parameters decreases in the order of crop year ˃ geographical origin ˃ variety. Nevertheless, the differentiation of tested varieties using FA profiles coresponds to a varietal pedigree. When the total lipid content was considered, a statistical difference between two varieties (Malz and Sunshine) and two tested localities was found. The profile of FA in barley grains is influenced by the land type and climate conditions. Due to a high level of barley varieties crossbreeding, the chemical profiling of FA is not a reliable tool for a varietal determination, however, it reflects the variety origin.