Abstract
A rapid method for the determination of diastatic power is described. The enzyme extraction and starch hydrolysis steps have been shortened to 10 min each and a colorimetric method involving the use of p-hydroxybenzoic acid hydrazide has been used for the determination of reducing sugars. The method avoids some sources of error associated with previous methods. The sensitivity of the method allows the use of small samples making it suitable for the measurement of diastatic power in barley breeding.