Fixed-bed extraction of β-glucan from cereals by means of pressurized hot water

- β-Glucans were extracted from cereals (barley, wheat bran, de-starched barley).
- Pressurized hot water in a fixed-bed extractor was successfully used as solvent.
- Optimal extraction conditions were 155 °C, 20 bar, 4 g/min and 105 min.
- Molecular weight of the extracted β-glucans was higher than in batch experiments.
- β-Glucans were fractionated by MW throughout the extraction: from 500 to 180 kDa.