The Use of Response Surface Methodology to Optimise Malting Conditions of Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) as a Raw Material for Gluten‐Free Foods

Response surface methodology was used to investigate the influence of the three malting parameters, i.e. degree of steeping, germination time, and temperature on the quality of proso millet malt. Each predictor variable was tested at three levels. Germination times varied from 5, 6, and 7 days, degrees of steeping were 44, 48, and 52%, and germination temperatures were 16, 20, and 24°C. A set kilning temperature of 65°C was used for all malts. A series of malt quality parameters were investigated including extract, apparent attenuation limit, gelatinisation temperature, α‐amylase activity, β‐amylase activity, limit dextrinase activity, Kolbach index, α‐amino nitrogen, viscosity, and colour. The optimal malting program was achieved after the fifth day of germination, 44% degree of steeping, and a 22°C steeping and germination temperature. The obtained values for the amylolytic and cytolytic attributes were 64.8% extract, 1.383 mPa × s viscosity, 76.0% apparent attenuation limit, 111 U/g α‐amylase activity, and 102 U/g β‐amylase activity.     

Malting of Sorghum: Further Studies on Factors influencing α‐Amylase Activity

The effects of steep regime, nature of alkaline steeping agent, and kilning condition on α‐amylase development were studied for four Nigerian sorghum cultivars. Malt α‐amylase activity was highly significantly (p<.001) influenced by all the four factors as well as their various assortments of interaction. Generally malts from the Local Red (LR) variety produced the highest a‐amylase values, followed by those of SK 5912, Local White and KSV 8 in the above sequence. The presence/absence of air‐rest processes in steep regimes was a significant factor (p<.001) influencing malt α‐amylase response to final warm steeping as well as to the other factors under study. Similarly, the nature of the steeping agent was a very significant determinant of malt α‐amylase response to kilning condition and regime of steeping. Of significant interest was the observation that Ca (OH)₂ steeps enhanced malt α‐amylase activity at the higher temperature of kilning. The significantly lower α‐amylase values given under similar conditions by the other alkaline liquors suggest a possible increase in malt thermostability due to steeping in Ca (OH)₂. Additionally, the fact that the extent of enhancement of malt α‐amylase activity by Ca (OH)₂, at 50°C Kiln temperature, was regime‐dependent, suggests that the latter was an important modulator of sorghum germination physiology.     

Effect of malting regimen on diastatic power,cold and hot water extracts of malts from sorghum

In this study, sorghum grains were malted using different malting regimens and the malt qualities were analysed for cold water extract (CWE), hot water extract (HWE) and diastatic power (DP). Results showed that malting regimen produced sorghum malts with peak CWE, HWE and DP within the pre-determined limits of malting regimen. From this, predictive models of sorghum malt quality were developed and tested. Whilst steeping duration interacts significantly with the germination period to cause variations in CWE and HWE, only the germination period significantly influenced the DP of sorghum malts. However, the kilning temperature showed no significant impact on the parameters studied. Besides CWE, HWE and DP correlating positively with each other, the developed predictive models were significant (P < 0.05) and satisfy the quality of fit (R² > 0.70) of the proposed models. The result demonstrated that wort for different purposes can be obtained by varying the malting operational conditions in the predictive model, thus saving time, resources, preliminary studies and research designs. Besides the promotion of a cheaper local alternative material for industrial wort production and brewing purpose, this research provides valuable insight on the brilliant prospect of variable malting regimen in predicting and adjusting the quality characteristics of sorghum malt and wort. Future studies are required to develop models for wort produced from peak CWE, HWE and DP, for predicting wort quality characteristics.     

Sorghum β‐Amylase Production: Relationship With Grain Cultivar,Steep Regime,Steep Liquor Composition and Kilning Temperature

Steep regime, nature of alkaline liquor, and kilning conditions were studied for their effects on sorghum malt β‐amylase development in four Nigerian sorghum cultivars. Malt β‐amylase activity was markedly (p < .001) influenced by all the four factors as well as their various interactions. Overall, malts from KSV 8 variety were the most β‐amylolytic followed in sequence by those from Local Red (LR), SK 5912, and Local white (LW) respectively. The presence or absence of air rests in steep regimes was a significant (p < .001) determinant of sorghum β‐amylase response to final warm steeping, steep liquor and kilning condition. The nature of the alkaline steep liquor was also a major determinant of the pattern of malt β‐amylase response to the kilning condition. Steeping in Ca(OH)₂ enhanced malt β‐amylase activity at the higher temperature of kilning, while KOH produced the opposite effect. Ca(OH)₂ enhancement of β‐amylase development, at a kilning temperature of 50°C, was variety‐dependent suggesting that different sorghum cultivars may employ different biosynthesis models for β‐amylase synthesis. The regime‐dependence of β‐amylase response to kiln temperature suggests that this was an important modulator of sorghum germination physiology.     

Optimization of Malting Conditions for Two Black Rice Varieties,Black Non‐Waxy Rice and Black Waxy Rice (Oryza sativa L. Indica)

Two black rice varieties, “black non‐waxy” and “black waxy”, were investigated as possible raw materials for the production of malt. The malting conditions were optimised using response surface methodology. The three process parameters were steeping, germination time and temperature. Each parameter was tested at three levels: adjustment degrees of steeping were 38, 41, and 44%, germination times were 6, 7, and 8 days, and the temperatures were 20, 25 and 30°C. At the end of the germination process, all samples were kilned at 50°C for 24 h, and shoot/rootlets were removed before a detailed quality assessment was performed. Data analysis was performed using the Design Expert Statistic Program. The optimal conditions found for both rice varieties were as follows: germination time of 8 days at 30°C and 44% grain moisture. Although the extract yield, and a‐amylase and β‐amylase activities of both rice malts were lower than barley malt, the higher activity of limit‐dextrinase enzyme and apparent attenuation limit (AAL), which was higher than 80%, suggests that rice malt has potential for use in brewing.     

MALTING TECHNOLOGY AND THE PROPERTIES OF MALT: A CLUSTER ANALYSIS STUDY

A cluster analysis study of 72 malts produced from four varieties of barley malted under varying conditions has demonstrated the relative importance of the degree of steeping, germination time and temperature and kilning on the chemical and physical analysis of the malt. Seventy-two malt samples were produced from four barley varieties malted at two different degrees of steeping, two germination temperatures, two germination times, and two kilning temperatures. The malt samples were divided into 2 or 3 groups (clusters) by means of the Fuzzy Cluster Variety family of algorithms, applied to nine chemical or physical malt analyses. Each cluster could be characterized by certain mean values for the laboratory analyses and also by a particular set of technological parameters. The degree of steeping was the most important of these parameters. Laboratory analyses such as fine/coarse difference and friability were able to discriminate between a high or low degree of steeping. The cluster with a high degree of steeping could be further divided into two subclusters, with different kilning temperature. The DMS-precursor discriminated between these two kilning temperatures.     

MALTING CHARACTERISTICS OF FINGER MILLET,SORGHUM AND BARLEY*

The malting characteristics of the finger millet variety Imele (FI), sorghum varieties Andivo (SA) and Ingumba (SI) and the barley variety Research (BR) were compared in relation to the brewing of traditional African opaque beer as well as conventional lager beer. The investigations include (a) the effect of steeping and germination conditions, (b) the influence of gibberellic acid and kilning temperature on the activity of important brewing enzymes and (c) an appraisal of the brewing potential of the worts obtained. FI, SA and SI malts were considered unsuitable as barley malt extenders for conventional lager beers, but FI and possibly SI malts would be suitable for tropical lager beer manufacture.     

Effect of batch‐to‐batch variation on the quality of laboratory and commercially malted Oxbridge barley

The malting performance of two different batches of Oxbridge barley was studied. The study showed that a single 24 h continuous laboratory steep was suitable for steeping the two batches of Oxbridge to provide good quality malt. Although each batch represented the same variety, and was of similar malting quality, they behaved differently in terms of friability scores, filtration rate and predicted spirit yield (PSY) by day 4 of the germination period. Worts prepared from the two malts gave different patterns of filtration rates, showing that each batch of Oxbridge modified at a different rate and in a different way, although they achieved similar final PSY results at the end of the malting period. The two batches of Oxbridge both malted rapidly, but behaved differently in terms of modification pattern, as revealed by the Rapid Visco‐Analysis peak viscosities, as well visual germination results. The results of this study confirmed that, given the same malting conditions, batch 1 germinated more rapidly than batch 2, and supports the view that Oxbridge shows some inconsistency as a malting barley variety. The study further showed that the PSY result per se is not necessarily a good indicator of optimum modification of finished malted barley. This study showed that, while a particular barley variety, such as Oxbridge, may be associated with certain qualities and can produce good quality malt when a short steeping cycle is used, other factors are likely to cause batch‐to‐batch variations from the same barley variety. While the short steeping cycle was very successful in producing high‐quality laboratory malt from Oxbridge, and results in a significant reduction of the quantity of water required for steeping, reduces malting time and also saves costs, there is evidence that there may be some additional variability associated with Oxbridge malting barley. Copyright © 2012 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

The Influences of Steeping Duration and Temperature on the α‐ and β‐Amylase Activities of Six Thai Rice Malt Cultivars (Oryza sativa L. Indica)

A preliminary study of malting conditions for six Thai rice cultivars was conducted. Three non‐glutinous rice cultivars (KDML105, PT60, and WR) and three glutinous rice cultivars (SPT, RD6, and KND) were selected. The steeping durations (24, 48, and 72 h) and temperatures (20, 25 and 30°C) were investigated for their effect on α‐ and β‐amylase, the key enzymes for malt quality evaluation. During steeping, the production of both enzymes was lower than at the germination process. The longer the steeping duration, the lower the maximum β‐amylase activity obtained. The contradictory effect was observed for α‐amylase activity, near the end of the germination time. Additionally, temperature influenced the water absorption content as well as the amylolytic enzyme activity. Particularly at 30°C, the maximum β‐amylase activity (6.7 unit/mg protein) was found in KND malt steeped for 24 h, and maximum α‐amylase activity (20 unit/mg protein) was found in PT60 malt steeped for 72 h. The amount of enzyme production depended on the variety rather than the amylose content in the rice. The optimal condition for malting rice regarding β‐amylase activity and α‐amylase activity was analyzed at 30°C, with steeping for 24 h and germination for 4–5 days.     

THE USE OF ACETIC ACID AND SULPHUR DIOXIDE TO LIMIT MALTING LOSSES

The effects of spraying acetic acid or solutions of sulphur dioxide and of steeping in solutions of acetic acid have been investigated in micromalting trials. Spraying germinating grain with acid solutions on the fourth day of germination significantly increased both hot and cold water extracts and total soluble nitrogen, while reducing rootlet growth and total malting loss. The percentage fermentability of wort derived from malt sprayed with a solution of acetic acid was less than that of controls and had a lower pH. Malt prepared from grain steeped in dilute acetic acid and sprayed with gibberellic acid on casting was ready for kilning in a shorter time with smaller malting loss and rootlet production, but with an elevated hot water extract, percentage fermentability and soluble nitrogen content. On this basis of the original dry weight of barley, increases in the yield of extract of the order of 5% over that obtained from control malts have been achieved.     

Performance of Husked,Acid Dehusked and Hull‐less Barley and Malt in Relation to Alcohol Production

Studies carried out on normal husked barley, normal hull‐less (naked) barley, acid dehusked barley and acid dehusked hull‐less barley, as well as the malts derived from them, showed that when acid dehusked barley samples (obtained from either husked or hull‐less barley), were processed using commercial enzyme preparations, they produced more alcohol when compared with the alcohol yield obtained from the barley samples from which the acid dehusked samples were derived. When the husked (Optic) control, acid dehusked and hull‐less barley samples were malted, Optic control barley produced malt that gave higher dextrinising units (DU) and diastatic power (DP), whilst acid dehusked Optic and hull‐less barley produced malts that gave similar DU results on day 5 of the germination time. When mashed, acid dehusked (Optic) barley malt produced wort that filtered faster than the wort obtained from the malt made from hull‐less barley. This observation is very important because it shows that the husk of the barley is not the only factor that determines the filtration performance of the malted barley, since both the malt samples made from husked and acid dehusked barley had similar filtration rates on day 5 of the germination time. The slow filtration rate observed for the wort made from hull‐less barley suggests that other factors play some role during the filtration of the mash made from hull‐less barley malt. Although hull‐less malt appeared to develop lower DU and DP enzyme activities, when compared with the values obtained for the Optic control, hull‐less barley malted faster and produced optimum predicted spirit yield (PSY) at day 4 of the germination time. In contrast, the control husked Optic barley malt that had higher DU and DP produced equivalent (optimum) predicted spirit yield one day later at 5 days germination time. This is an advantage for hull‐less barley, both in terms of time and energy saving during the malting of barley. Although the acid dehusked Optic barley produced more alcohol than the husked control when commercial enzyme preparation was used to process barley, it was surprising that when the derived malt was assessed, it gave a lower predicted spirit yield than the husked control, even though it produced a higher amount of hot water extract (HWE). The higher extract yield and lower predicted spirit yield obtained from the malt made from acid dehusked malt confirmed that high extract yield is not necessarily associated with high fermentable extract.     

Effects of nitrogen application on malt modification and dimethyl sulfide precursor production in two Japanese barley cultivars

BACKGROUND: Nitrogenous components have a great influence on both malt and beer qualities. Barley storage proteins are degraded during the germination process, in which amino acids and small peptides are released. Some of these compounds relate to dimethyl sulfide precursor production in the malting process. In this study, barley and malt qualities were investigated using two Japanese barley cultivars, Sukai Golden and Mikamo Golden, with several different nitrogen (N) treatments. RESULTS: Nitrogen top‐dressing treatments efficiently increased N and sulfur (S) concentrations in grains. A difference in malt modification was induced by these treatments without any change in protease activity in malts. S‐Methyl methionine (SMM) concentration in malt of Sukai Golden with low‐N treatment was 1.8–2.1 times higher than that with higher‐N treatments. Methionine concentration in malts was not significantly affected by N treatments of both cultivars, while grain S level was not consistent under any treatments. CONCLUSION: Results show that low‐N treatment increases SMM concentration in malts despite major S‐containing amino acids of malts being not highly affected by the difference in nutrient status of grains. Further investigations are necessary into aspects of both metabolic profiles in barley germination and SMM degradation in the kilning process. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Optimization of the sorghum malting process for pito production in Ghana

Pito is an alcoholic beverage obtained through a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) fermentation of wort extracted from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) malt. The malting conditions of sorghum are thought to influence the quality characteristics of the malt, and subsequently the quality of the pito obtained from it. Studies were carried out on a local sorghum cultivar grown in Ghana – chireh, to optimize the conditions for malting conditions for pito production in Ghana. A 3³ full factorial experimental design was replicated with steeping times of 12, 16 and 22 h, germination times of 3, 4 and 5 days, and malt drying temperatures of 30, 40 and 50 °C as factors. Diastatic power, extract yield, attenuation limit and free amino nitrogen were determined. Germination duration significantly affected diastatic power and free amino nitrogen (p < 0.001). Extract yield was also significantly influenced by germination duration (p = 0.001). The germination time, steeping time and drying temperature had no significant effect on the attenuation limit. The optimal conditions for malting this specific cultivar grown in Ghana to obtain critical malt quality indices are 12.0–12.5 h steeping, 5 days of germination at 30 °C and drying at 40 °C. Free amino nitrogen levels in all treatments were higher than the minimum requirement for good yeast nutrition and fermentation. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

CHANGES IN ACTIVITY OF SORGHUM LIPASE DURING MALTING AND MASHING

Lipase activity was monitored during malting and mashing of sorghum grains. All three sorghum varieties contained detectable lipase activity in the ungerminated form. Lipase activity changed only slightly during steeping for 24 hours but increased several fold in the course of germination. Between 24% and 60% of the lipase activity of the green malt was retained after kilning at 48°C but no activity was detected in the wort after mashing at 65°C. About 68% of the lipase activity of 72 hours old malt was detected in the plumule, while 29% and 3% were detected in the endosperm and radicle, respectively. Optimum activity was observed at pH 7.0.     

pH IN MALTING AND BREWING—A REVIEW

Variations in pH during malting, kilning, mashing, lautering, wort boiling and fermentation are reviewed. The fragmentary information available suggests that the pH of cold water extracts of barley falls during steeping, rises during germination and falls again during kilning. Brewing liquor, mashing method, addition of acid, and the nature of the malt influence the pH of unhopped wort, which falls by about 0·3 of a unit during boiling. Fermentation reduces the pH by a further unit yielding ales with pH values of about 3·8-4·2, or lagers of pH 4·2–4·8. Literature evidence does not suggest any obvious reason why ales and lagers should differ in pH.     

Micromalting triticale: Optimising processing conditions

Small-scale trials were carried out to optimise the conditions for micromalting triticale grain, using three varieties grown in the UK. Compared with barley, triticale grains required short steeping periods with a short air rest. They malted rapidly, and produced malts with high hot water extracts after 4 or 5 days' germination. Applications of gibberellic acid and potassium bromate during malting significantly altered the qualities of malts. Gibberellic acid increased hot water extracts, soluble nitrogen levels and malting losses. When the additives were used in combination, high hot water extracts were obtained and malting losses were reduced relative to controls, but unexpectedly the level of total soluble nitrogen was elevated and did not significantly differ from that obtained using gibberellic acid alone. Both additives usefully reduced wort viscosities, which were unacceptably high by barley malt brewing standards. Wort separation from small-scale mashes was slow.     

The effect of germination and kilning on the cyanogenic potential,amylase and alcohol levels of sorghum malts used for burukutu production

Grain sorghum of the red and white varieties was malted by steeping in water for 18 h, germinated over 5 days and kilned at 50 °C. The malts were analysed for amylase activities and cyanogenic potential and used to produce burukutu, an alcoholic beverage. The alcohol content of the burukutu was recovered by distillation and determined by the refractive index method. α‐Amylase activity peaked on malting day 3 and was higher in the white malts. β‐Amylase activity peaked on day 3 in the red malts and on day 4 in the white malts, but was higher in the red malts. Dhurrinase activity was highest on malting day 4, with a higher activity in the red malts. Kilning at 50 °C reduced the activities of these enzymes. The dhurrin content increased during germination and was consistently higher in the white malts, in which there was evidence of dhurrin mobilisation. In the red malts the dhurrin content increased during germination but decreased progressively after kilning; evidence of dhurrin mobilisation was apparent as from malting day 4. Burukutu produced from the red malts gave higher alcohol contents than that from the white malts. Maximum alcohol yields were obtained on malting day 3 in the red malts and on day 5 in the white malts. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of cold shock on the enhancement of β‐amylase activity during malting and malt processability for a red sorghum intended for brewing use

The low β‐amylase activity of sorghum malt is a major concern when malts are intended for use in brewing. Several studies have shown that the germination temperature plays an important role in β‐amylase synthesis. In this study, the cold shock treatment was envisioned as a means of improving β‐amylase synthesis during red sorghum malting. The results show that, when a high‐frequency decrease in the germination temperature is used, the obtained malt exhibits a significantly increased β‐amylase activity. This study shows that this increase is not sufficient to consider cold shock as a means of improving β‐amylase activity for red sorghum brewing use, as the processabilty of the malts is unsatisfactory. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

The Effect of Barley Adjuncts on Free Amino Nitrogen Contents in Wort

Free amino nitrogen (FAN) and other low‐molecular‐weight nitrogen compounds (LNC) are highly important as nutrients for yeast. Many different types of low‐malt beer exist around the world, some of which are produced with barley as an adjunct. In these cases, inhibitors contained in barley are known to influence the amount of LNC in wort. Accordingly, it is important to investigate which proteinase class is key in producing these compounds. By investigating the relationship between the FAN contained in wort produced from malt and barley (barley adjunct wort) and malt proteinase activity, it was found that cysteine proteinase and 1,10‐orthophenanthroline (O‐Phen)‐inhibitable metallo proteinases had a significant correlation to the barley adjunct wort FAN levels. In addition, the relationship between malting conditions and these proteinase activities was investigated and the conditions defined for maximal production of proteinases as follows: steeping degree, 50%; germination temperature, 12°C; germination days, 6 days; water spray, 3 times and concentration of gibberellic acid, 10 mg/kg (barley).     

Use of Chemiluminescence HPLC for Measurement of Positional Isomers of Hydroperoxy Fatty Acids in Malting and the Protein Rest Stage of Mashing

Fatty acid hydroperoxides (9- and 13-hydroperoxides of linoleic acid and linolenic acid) were extracted from barley, malt and wort, and quantified by chemiluminescence HPLC. Although not detected in dried barley (<0·5 μmol kg⁻¹ (dry wt)), the concentrations of hydroperoxides increased during germination (up to 156 μmol kg⁻¹ (dry wt) in the case of 9-hydroperoxylinoleic acid). Lipoxygenase (LOX) activity increased more than two-fold during germination. LOX activity and hydroperoxide concentrations were reduced considerably on kilning of malt. During mashing on a laboratory scale, malts with higher total LOX activities produced higher concentrations of hydroperoxides. The concentrations of 9-hydroperoxides were double those of the 13-hydroperoxides during malting and up to 10-fold greater during mashing, indicating a greater activity of LOX-1 in both processes.