Australia
June 17, 2008
 “The
recent signing of a license agreement between the
CSIRO/Australian Capital
Ventures Limited joint venture and Austgrains Pty Ltd has paved
the way for large scale commercial crops of BARLEYmax® – unique
grain developed by CSIRO using conventional plant breeding
techniques,” says the Director of the CSIRO Food Futures
Flagship, Dr Bruce Lee.
“It contains more than twice the amount of insoluble and soluble
fibre found in wheat or oats, as well as resistant starch, which
helps promote healthy digestive bacteria,” Dr Lee says.
Austgrains’ Managing Director, Warren Hannam, says the unique
nutritional characteristics of BARLEYmax are a valuable addition
to the range of healthy food ingredients available in Australia.
“Austgrains specialises in supplying grain and functional food
ingredients to the food manufacturing industry, making BARLEYmax
a perfect fit for our company,” he says.
Austgrains Pty Ltd is a private company associated with publicly
listed Washington H Soul Pattinson and Company Limited and its
group of companies, producing and marketing specialty
ingredients such as the Nu Soya range of soy products and
omega-3 oils.
BARLEYmax Business Manager, CSIRO’s Geoff Ball, says clinical
testing by CSIRO Human Nutrition has shown that products made
with BARLEYmax – such as breakfast cereals, muffins and breads –
have a low Glycaemic Index and strong bowel health attributes.
“Further testing showed BARLEYmax has excellent processing
properties and foods made with the new grain have a naturally
sweet, slightly nutty taste,” Mr Ball says. “With large volumes
to be produced soon by Austgrains, healthy foods made with
BARLEYmax are likely to be on Australian breakfast tables in the
near future.”
Photo credit: CSIRO |
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