ASSESSMENT OF MODIFICATION PATTERNS IN MALTING BARLEYS

Abstract
Three cultivars of diverse melting quality were melted end samples taken daily between 2 end 7 days germination. Over this period a linear relationship wee observed in all 3 cultivars, between cell well modification, measured by loss of calcofluor fluorescence, and both wort nitrogen content end loss of milling energy. Differences in the slopes of regression lines suggested variation in patterns of modification, with very rapid proteolysis in Triumph, but a time leg between cell wall modification and degradation of the protein matrix in Koru. These predicted patterns were confirmed by Scanning Electron Micrographs of endosperms from germinated grains.