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.     

Phytate content is reduced and β‐glucanase activity suppressed in malted barley steeped with lactic acid at high temperature

The effect of different steeping conditions on phytate, β‐glucan and vitamin E in barley during malting was studied by a full factorial experiment with three variables (steeping temperature, barley variety and steeping additions). Addition of lactic acid to the steeping water induced a reduction of phytate during steeping and germination, especially in combination with the high steeping temperature (48 °C). Furthermore, lactic acid and high temperature steeping inhibited β‐glucanase development, resulting in a well‐preserved β‐glucan content after germination. When steeping was conducted without addition of lactic acid, the low steeping temperature (15 °C) promoted development of both phytase and β‐glucanase activity during germination. A slightly higher level of tocopherols and tocotrienols was observed in samples steeped at 15 °C than in samples steeped at 48 °C. However, addition of lactic acid reduced the amount for both temperatures. When lactic acid bacteria were added to the steeping water none of the parameters studied differed from samples steeped with water only. The results show the possibility of combining phytate degradation with a preserved β‐glucan content during malting and can thus be of interest for development of cereal products with improved nutritional value. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

Effects of malting on β‐glucanase and phytase activity in barley grain

The effects of malting on β‐glucan and phytate were investigated in one naked and one covered barley by a full factorial experiment with three factors (steeping temperature, moisture content and germination temperature) each with two levels. Analysis of total content of β‐glucan in the malted samples showed small changes after steeping at the high temperature (48 °C), while steeping at the lower temperature (15 °C) gave a significantly lower content. This trend was even stronger for β‐glucan unextractable at 38 °C. Analysis of the activity of β‐glucanase for the samples steeped at 15 °C showed a strong increase over the time of germination, while those steeped at 48 °C had a much slower development. The other two factors influenced the outcome to a small extent, mainly because the steeping temperature was the most important factor overall where any changes in β‐glucan and β‐glucanase were observed. When β‐glucan was extracted at 100 °C, a larger yield was obtained, and this was influenced by the steeping temperature in a much stronger way than for β‐glucan extracted at 38 °C. Determination of average molecular weight for β‐glucan extracted at 100 °C gave a lower value for samples steeped at 15 than at 48 °C. The design did not have any large effects on phytate degradation and phytase activity. However, it indicated that selective control of the enzymes might be possible, since phytase activity was barely affected by the parameters studied, while β‐glucanase was heavily affected. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

Effect of Malting Conditions on Pearl Millet Malt Quality

The effect of malting conditions on pearl millet malt quality in two varieties, SDMV 89004 and SDMV 91018, was investigated. Grain was steeped and germinated at four temperatures, 20°, 25°, 30° and 35°C, over 5 days. Generally, malt quality parameters (percentage of roots and shoots, diastatic power (DP), α‐ and β‐amylase activity, free α‐amino nitrogen (FAN), and malting loss) were significantly affected (P < 0.001) by germination temperature and time, as well as by variety. Malt FAN and malting loss were not affected by variety. A germination temperature of 25–30°C and germination time of 3–5 days were optimal. These conditions resulted in high DP, α‐ and β‐amylase activity, good FAN and moderate malting loss. These malting conditions and the subsequent malt quality of pearl millet are similar to those reported for sorghum. Pearl millet malt can therefore be used for the production of sorghum type beers.     

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.     

The Effect of Steeping Time on the Final Malt Quality of Buckwheat

To determine the effect of steeping time on final buckwheat malt quality, buckwheat was steeped for three different times resulting in three different out‐of‐steep moisture contents: 7 h steeping (35%), 13 h steeping (40%) and 80 h steeping (45%). An increased steeping time increased malting losses, total beta‐amylase activity and Kolbach index. On the contrary total nitrogen, friability and viscosity of consequent congress worts were decreased. A maximum alpha‐amylase activity was found in buckwheat malted with an out‐of‐steep moisture content of 45%. Beta‐amylase existed in a soluble and latent form in buckwheat. The latent form was solubilised during malting. In addition extra beta‐amylase was produced. In general the optimum out‐of‐steep moisture content for buckwheat is between 35 to 40%, which is a compromise between attaining the desired malt quality and minimising malting loss.     

The Influence of Barley Storage on Respiration and Glucose‐6‐Phosphate Dehydrogenase During Malting

Malt is produced by the controlled, but limited germination of barley. To produce good quality malt, the barley employed must be able to germinate rapidly and synchronously. Dormancy is a seed characteristic that can interfere with the rapid and uniform germination of barley, thereby reducing the resultant malt quality. Various studies have shown that post harvest storage can be used to remove dormancy and enhance barley germination characteristics and malt quality. Because of its complexity, the fundamental basis of dormancy induction, maintenance and termination remain unknown. Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) is the rate limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway and has been associated with dormancy decay and increased seed vigor of a variety of different seeds. The aim of this study was to determine if changes in barley germination vigour were associated with respiration and/or G6PDH changes during malting. Commercially grown barley (cv. Gairdner) was obtained from various states of Australia and stored at room temperature for up to 7 months. At 1, 3 and 7 months, samples were taken and stored at ?18°C. The germinative energy (GE) and germinative index (GI) of these samples were measured. Samples were micro‐malted and the α‐amylase activity, respiration rate, and G6PDH activity of the germinating grains were measured at various stages of malting. It was found that storage of barley for up to seven months significantly improved the germination characteristics and increased the α‐amylase activity during malting. However, these improvements were not associated with concomitant changes in respiration rate or G6PDH activity during malting.     

The Impact of Kilning on Enzymatic Activity of Buckwheat Malt

This study investigated the impact of kilning on α‐amylase, β‐amylase (total and soluble), β‐glucanase and protease activities in buckwheat malt. Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) was steeped at 10°C for 12 h, germinated at 15°C for 4 days and kilned at 40°C for 48 h. Moisture content and enzymatic activities were determined throughout the kilning period. Results showed moisture content was reduced from 44% to 5% after 48 h of kilning at 40°C. β‐Amylase was found to exist in a soluble and latent form in buckwheat. Maximum activity of (a) α‐amylase, (b) total β‐amylase, (c) soluble β‐amylase, (d) β‐glucanase and (e) protease activity occurred after (a) 8, (b) 7, (c) 30, (d) 0, and (e) 8 h of kilning, respectively. The final malt exhibited very little β‐glucanase and cellulase activity. Proteolytic activity was low in buckwheat malt when compared to the barley malt control. All enzymatic activities were found to decrease during the kilning stage. Results indicated that after prolonged kilning at 40°C, inactivation of hydrolytic enzymes occurred; two‐stage kilning for shorter periods is recommended. Although, amylolytic activity was low in malted buckwheat, buckwheat malt shows potential as an ingredient for the brewing and cereal industry.     

Effect of Different Steeping Conditions on Endosperm Modification and Quality of Distilling Malt

This study showed that when barley was steeped in water for either 8 h or 16 h, hydration of endosperm materials was suboptimal and modification of endosperm materials of barley malt was inadequate. The malt produced under these steeping regimes gave poor friability scores and produced a large number of whole grains. When barley was steeped for 24 h on a continuous basis, or when a regimented standard steeping method was used, the malt produced gave higher friability scores and a much lower number of whole grains. An important relationship was found between friability scores and whole grain results for the malt samples produced under these conditions. Optic barley, whose endosperm was more difficult to hydrate, gave a strong negative correlation between friability scores and number of whole grains at R² = 0.8689. Oxbridge, whose endosperm was more easily hydrated, gave a much stronger negative correlation between friability scores and number of whole grains at R² = 0.9769. Rapid visco‐analysis (RVA) results also confirmed that steeping the barley samples for only 8 h or 16 h produced malt that modified poorly as the RVA peak viscosities were very high. RVA pasting results further confirmed that when barley was steeped for 24 h on a continuous basis, or when a standard regimented steeping method was used, good quality malt was produced and no differences were found in the RVA peak viscosities of the barley malt samples produced under the two different steeping conditions. The results of protein breakdown (proteolysis) during these experiments, measured in terms of total soluble nitrogen (TSN) production, or soluble nitrogen ratio (SNR) further confirmed that optimal proteolysis was achieved when barley was steeped for either 24 h on a continuous basis, or with a standard steep. Optimal results were also found for hot water ex‐tractable materials such as hot water extract (HWE) and free amino nitrogen (FAN) when barley was steeped for 24 h or the standard steep. The 24 h continuous steep for barley produced quality malt comparable to that obtained when the standard regimented steep was used for steeping barley. For both Optic and Oxbridge barley, with a 24 h continuous steep, produced malt that gave significantly higher fermentabilities and PSY values, regardless of germination time, than those obtained using a standard regimented steep. Therefore steeping barley for 24 h on a continuous basis prior to malting will produce good quality malt for some barley samples/varieties. This will help to reduce water usage during steeping, will save steeping time thereby reducing malting time and will reduce the amount of water for effluent treatment. All of these factors result in an overall cost saving for the malting industry.     

Control of Superoxide Dismutase Activity during Malting Using Plackett‐Burman and Box‐Behnken Experimental Design and Its Effect on Reducing Power of Wort

The Plackett‐Burman multifactorial design was employed to screen the important malting parameters for superoxide dismutase (SOD) in final malt of Ganpi‐3. The eight factors screened for SOD were steeping temperature, steeping time, peroxide hydrogen concentration in steeping water, germination temperature, germination time, withering temperature, drying temperature and kilning temperature. Variance analysis showed that steeping time, germination temperature and kilning temperature were significant for SOD activity. Box‐Behnken experimental design was further used to optimize the levels of the above three factors. By response surface methodology and canonical analysis, the optimal malting factors for higher SOD activity in final malt were: steeping time 42.2 h, germination temperature 16.9°C and kilning temperature 82.9°C. Under these conditions, the model predicted a SOD activity of 2234 U/g of dry weight malt. Verification of the optimization showed that a SOD activity of 2220 U/g was observed under optimal conditions. It showed that the experimental data could be reliably predicted by the polynomial model. Besides Ganpi‐3, three other barley varieties including Ganpi‐4, Ken‐2 and Hamelin were malted under optimal and common conditions under laboratory conditions. To some extent, SOD activities were higher in malts from the optimal malting process than those from the common malting process. Especially, SOD activities in Ganpi‐3 and Hamelin increased by 18.8% and 15.3%, respectively. Furthermore, twenty‐nine samples of malts, including eleven imported malts and eighteen domestic malts, were used. Relationships between SOD activity in malt and the reducing power of wort were examined. There was significant correlation between SOD activity and the reducing power of wort (R² = 0.8069).     

Characterization of an α‐amylase from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) obtained under optimized conditions

Sorghum malt α‐amylase can compete with bacterial α‐amylase in industrial applications, if sufficiently stable and produced in a large enough quantity. Conditions for maximal α‐amylase production in sorghum malt and the physico‐chemical properties of the α‐amylase so produced are reported in this study. Sorghum grains were steeped in buffers with varying pH (4.0–8.0) for 24 h, at room temperature, and germinated for another 48 h to obtain the green malt. The buffer that induced the highest quantity of α‐amylase was chosen as the optimal pH and served as the medium for further steeping experiments conducted at different temperatures (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60°C). The α‐amylase activity in the extract was determined in order to obtain the optimum temperature for α‐amylase induction at this particular pH. For the purpose of comparison, the α‐amylase produced at the optimum pH and temperature was purified to apparent homogeneity by a combination of ion‐exchange and size‐exclusion chromatography, and further characterized. Eight‐fold higher α‐amylase activity was induced in pH 6.5 buffer at 20°C compared with water, the traditional steeping medium. The K_m and V_max were estimated to be 1.092 ± 0.05 mg mL^?1 and 3516 ± 1.981 units min^?1, respectively. The activation energy of the purified amylase for starch hydrolysis was 6.2 kcal K^?1 mol^?1. Chlorides of calcium and manganese served as good activators, whereas CuSO₄ inhibited the enzyme with a 42% loss in activity at 312 mm salt concentration. Copyright © 2012 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

The Variation of β‐amylase Activity and Protein Fractions in Barley Grains as Affected by Genotypes and Post‐anthesis Temperatures

The variation of β‐amylase activity and protein fractions in barley grains was evaluated using 148 barley genotypes grown in the field and two cultivars under in vitro culture with two temperature treatments during grain development. The results showed that there was significant genotypic variation in β‐amylase activity and protein fraction content. Regression analysis indicated that β‐amylase activity was positively correlated with total protein and the level of each of the protein fractions, with the correlation coefficient between β‐amylase activity and hordein content being the highest. Furthermore, higher post‐anthesis temperatures (32/26°C, day/night) significantly enhanced β‐amylase activity and protein fraction content, presumably as a result of reduced starch content. Albumin and glutelin were the least and most affected, respectively, in comparison with the plants under lower temperature (22/16°C). Temperature post‐anthesis also influenced the morphology of the starch A granule and the number of B granules, suggesting the altered starch structure may also be a reason for deteriorated malting quality under high temperatures.     

The Advantages of Using Natural Substrate‐Based Methods in Assessing the Roles and Synergistic and Competitive Interactions of Barley Malt Starch‐Degrading Enzymes

Existing methods of assay of malt starch‐degrading enzymes were critically appraised. New methods based on natural substrates, namely starch and its natural intermediate‐derivative, were developed for all the enzymes, except limit dextrinase for which pullulan was used. Thermostability, optimal temperatures and pHs were established. α‐Amylase and limit dextrinase were the most thermostable and β‐amylase, α‐glucosidase and maltase were the least stable while diastase occupied an intermediate position. The optimal temperatures were congruent with thermostability, β‐ amylase having the lowest (50°C) and α‐amylase the highest (65°C) with the remaining enzymes, including diastase, falling in between. In contrast, α‐amylase has the lowest optimal pH (pH 4.5) and β amylase the highest (pH 5.5) while the others have pHs in between the two values. The roles of the enzymes were evaluated taking into account the level of activity, thermostability, optimum pH, the nature of the product(s), and the relevance to brewing. β‐Amylase production of maltose was synergistically enhanced, mostly by α‐amylase but also limit dextrinase. α‐Glucosidase and maltase are unimportant for brewing, because of their low activity and the negative impact on β‐amylase activity and the negative effect of glucose on maltose uptake by yeast. The starch‐degrading enzymes (diastase) in a gram of malt were able to degrade more than 8 g boiled starch into reducing sugars in 10 min at 65°C. The latter, suggests that it will be possible to gelatinise most of the malt starch at a higher temperature and ensure its hydrolysis to fermentable sugars by mixing with smaller portions of malt and mashing at lower temperatures e.g. 50–60°C.     

Effect of Germination Moisture and Time on Pearl Millet Malt Quality — With Respect to Its Opaque and Lager Beer Brewing Potential

The effect of germination moisture and time on pearl millet malt quality was investigated. Two pearl millet varieties SDMV 89004 and 91018 were germinated at 25°C under three different watering regimes for 5 days. As with sorghum malting, diastatic power, beta‐amylase activity, free α‐amino nitrogen (FAN), hot water extract and malting loss all increased with level of watering. However, pearl millet malt had a much higher level of beta‐amylase and higher FAN than sorghum malt and a similar level of extract. Malting losses were similar or lower than with sorghum. Thus, it appears that pearl millet malt has perhaps even better potential than sorghum malt in lager beer brewing, at least as a barley malt extender, especially in areas where these grains are cultivated and barley cannot be economically cultivated. Also, its increased use in commercial opaque beer brewing, where sorghum malt is currently used, could be beneficial.     

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     

EFFECTS OF FINAL WARM WATER STEEP AND AIR REST CYCLES ON MALT PROPERTIES OF THREE IMPROVED NIGERIAN SORGHUM CULTIVARS

The effects of final warm steeping at 40°C and air-rest cycles on malting loss and other malt quality parameters of three improved Nigerian sorghum cultivars were investigated. Grains were steeped for 48 h under four different steep regimes then germinated for 4 days at 30°C. The effect of final warm steeping on kernel growth, malting loss, diastatic power, α and β-amylase and extracts of the malts was significantly affected by air-resting, cultivar and the pair-wise interactions of cultivar and steep regime. Generally, malting loss and kernel growth reduced significantly (p< 0.001) when the steep cycle was a combination of air-resting and final warm water steep at 40°C. Diastatic power, α-amylase, β-amylase and extract also improved significantly in both ICSV 400 and KSV 8 when these grains were malted by a steep regime which combined both air-rest cycles and final warm water steep. However steeping these grains under a final warm water steep without air-resting led to a decrease in extract recovery and enzyme activity. Conversely steeping SK 5912 by a combination of air-resting and final warm water steep generally, inhibited rather than enhanced extract and enzyme development.     

IMPROVED EXTRACTION AND ASSAY OF β-AMYLASE BROM BARLEY AND MALT

β-Amylase was extracted from barley or malt using four physical techniques to break up grists which had been prepared using a Moulinex coffee grinder. Grinding with a Polytron homogeniser apparently completely disrupted all cells, as determined by transmission electron microscopy, and increased the efficiency of extraction of β-amylase from barley by more than 30%. The other treatments tested were without value . The β-amylase activity in extracts of barley or malt was assayed by measuring the production of reducing sugars from reduced soluble starch, using a PAHBAH reagent. α-Amylase, which interferes with the quantitation of β-amylase in extracts of malt, was not totally inactivated by the chelating buffer used for enzyme extraction or by several other chelating agents. α-Amylase activity was quantified specifically using Phadebas. Using purified α-amylase a calibration was developed which related activity, as determined using Phadebas, to reducing power units. Thus the α-amylase activity present in an extract containing β-amylase could be determined using Phadebas and the reducing power equivalent activity subtracted from the total “apparent” activity to give the actual β-amylase activity. α-Glucosidase and limit dextrinase activities are believed to be too low to have a significant effect on the apparent β-amylase . The soluble and bound β-amylase activities were measured in samples taken from micromalting barley (Alexis). Dry weight losses increased to over 10% after 8 days germination. Antibiotics, applied during steeping, were used to control microbes in one experiment. However, their use checked germination and reduced malting losses to 8.4% in 8 days germination. The soluble enzyme present in extracts from steeped barley and early stages of germination was activated (20–40%) by additions of the reducing agent DTT .     

Malting Performance of Normal Huskless and Acid‐Dehusked Barley Samples

Sulphuric acid dehusked barley had a higher germinative energy and lower microbial infection than normal huskless (naked) barley, suggesting that the pericarp layer harboured microbial infection which may have limited the germination rate. Dehusking the normal huskless barley using sulphuric acid resulted in lower microbial infection, and increased germinative energy. The normal huskless barley sample had a higher β‐glucan content than the acid‐dehusked barley and had slower β‐glucan breakdown during malting. This resulted in the release of seven times more β‐glucan during mashing, and the production of wort of higher viscosity. The normal huskless barley sample had a higher total nitrogen content than the acid‐dehusked barley but both samples produced similar levels of amylolytic (α‐ and β‐amylase) activity over the same malting period. No direct correlation was found between barley total nitrogen level and the amylolytic activity of the malt. When barley loses its husk at harvest, the embryo is exposed and may be damaged. This may result in uneven germination which can reduce malting performance and hence malt quality.