NON-STARCHY POLYSACCHARIDES OF CEREAL GRAINS IX. FURTHER STUDIES ON AUTOLYSIS

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Abstract
It is confirmed that the dissolution of hemicelluloses (gums) which occurs when barley grist is mixed with water depends primarily on purely mechanical factors which influence penetration of the grist particles by the solvent; the dissolution can, however, be accelerated in its early stages by enzyme action. Apart from an apparently minor degree of solubilization of initially insoluble hemicelluloses, the enzymic action is indirect, being proteolytic rather than cytolytic. A major final product of degradation of the dissolved hemicelluloses is glucose, though arabinose, xylose and pentose oligosaccharides are also formed; a substantial amount of maltose is also produced, probably from water-soluble α-glucan. The changes observed in this autolytic procedure are considered to be of significance during steeping and in those stages of growth in malting which precede the rapid development of amylolytic, cytolytic and proteolytic enzymes.

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