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.     

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.     

EFFECT OF GERMINATION TIME,TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE ON MALTING OF SORGHUM

The effect of germination conditions on sorghum malt quality and malting loss was studied by germinating sorghum for different periods of time up to 6 days over a range of temperatures (24 to approximately 36°C) and moisture conditions. The moisture conditions varied from that sufficient to maintain green malt weight to that where surface moisture remained on the malt throughout germination. Germination time, temperature, moisture and the three possible pairwise interactions all had a highly significant effect on malt diastatic power, free α-amino nitrogen and extract. Malting loss was highly significantly affected by germination time and moisture and their pair-wise interaction. However, over the range examined, germination temperature had no significant effect on malting loss. In general diastatic power, free α-amino nitrogen, extract, and malting loss all increased with germination time. Germination temperatures of 24° and 28°C were both equally good for the development of diastatic power, free α-amino nitrogen and extract but higher temperatures were progressively worse. Distatic power, free α-amino nitrogen, extract and malting loss were, in general, all increased by high moisture during germination. However, high moisture and a negative effect on diastatic power towards the end of the germination period.     

THE BREWING POTENTIAL OF “ACHA” (DIGITARIA EXILIS) MALT COMPARED WITH PEARL MILLET (PENNISETUM TYPHOIDES) MALTS AND SORGHUM (SORGHUM BICOLOR) MALTS

The malting and brewing characteristics of millets (Pennisetum typhoides and Digitaria exilis) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) were compared. Diastase, α-amylase, amyloglucosidase and proteases increased with malting time and the increase was associated with the modification. Development of hydrolytic enzymes was significantly higher in pearl millet and Digitaria exilis (“acha”) than in sorghum at P ≥ 0.01. The major starch degrading enzyme in the three varieties of pearl millet (SE composite, SE.13 and SE 2124) was α-amylase. On the other hand, β-amylase was the major starch degrading enzyme in “acha” (Digitaria exilis) which is similar to the pattern in barley. Gibberellic acid had a stimulating effect on the diastatic activity of pearl millets, Digitaria exilis (“acha”) and sorghum (KSV-4), but inhibited the diastatic activities of sorghum (Farafara). Gibbereltic acid inhibited the proteolytic activities in all the pearl millet varieties, Digitaria exilis and sorghum varieties. Potassium bromate had little or no effect in the reduction of malting losses. Although “acha” (Digitaria exilis) had a high β-amylase content, a high malting loss makes it uneconomical to brew with “acha” mart. A blend of “acha” malt with pearl millet malt or sorghum malt (composite malt) will produce a malt of the same profile as barley malt and this will enhance the quality of sorghum and pearl millet malt during the mashing process. Wort quality of all the samples was suitable for brewing conventional beer.     

EFFECT OF GERMINATION CONDITIONS,WITH OPTIMISED STEEPING,ON SORGHUM MALT QUALITY—WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO FREE AMINO NITROGEN

Using optimised steeping conditions for sorghum, the effect of various germination parameters (time, temperature and moisture) on the quality of sorghum malt for brewing purposes (in terms of diastatic power, free amino nitrogen and hot water extract) and on the associated malting losses, was investigated. Over the range studied (2, 4 and 6 days), the quality of the malt and the losses incurred during malting increased with increasing germination time. In general, the optimum germination temperature was between 25 and 30°C, and 18°C was found to be sub-optimal for the development of malt diastatic power. The quality of the finished malt and the associated malting losses were significantly correlated with the moisture content of the green malt. The root and shoot portion of the malt was found to be rich in free amino nitrogen (more than four times richer than the berry portion). Although a relatively small proportion of the total weight of the whole malt, the roots and shoots were found to contribute a substantial amount (as much as 61% under certain circumstances) to the whole-malt free amino nitrogen.     

The effect of germination time on malt quality of six sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) varieties grown at Melkassa,Ethiopia

The effect of germination time (48, 96 and 144 h) on malt quality of six sorghum varieties was investigated to determine the potential of grain sorghum cultivars in the local brewery industry. Six sorghum varieties (Gambella 1107, Macia, Meko, Red‐Swazi, Teshale and 76 T1#23) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that both germination time and variety had a significant effect (p ≤ 0.05) on sorghum malt quality. The hectolitre weight (kg hL^?1 at 12.5% moisture), germination energy (%), crude protein (%) and flour starch amylose content (%) were: 75.8–82.9, 96–99, 7.0 ? 11.9 and 16.0 ? 23.0, respectively. The sorghum malt diastatic power (DP, °L), free amino nitrogen (FAN, mg L^?1), hot water extract (HWE, %) and malting loss (%) were: 18.96 ? 31.39, 185.67 ? 343.29, 41.85 ? 85.08 and 8.68 ? 27.56, respectively. Malting loss, HWE and FAN increased with germination time. The DP increased as the germination duration increased from 48 to 96 h, but the difference between 96 and 144 h was not significant. Considering the excessive malting loss and marginal increase in HWE beyond 96 h, this study suggests that the optimum malting duration would be around 96 h. Among the varieties tested, Teshale and Gambella 1107 produced the better malt quality. Copyright © 2012 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

美国引进酿造专用啤酒大麦产量及品质综合分析

对8种引进的美国啤酒大麦及当地主栽甘啤4号品种进行生育期、产量及品质综合比较。结果表明：生育期除MERIT品种外,其余均较对照甘啤4号早熟,株高整体较高,穗长较短,二棱品种分蘖成穗数高;所有参试品种籽粒蛋白质、千粒质量、饱满度、发芽率均达国家优级标准（蛋白质含量10.0%～12.5%、千粒质量≥37g、饱满度≥80%、发芽率≥97%）;各品种麦芽的水分、细粉浸出率、α-氨基氮、黏度、糖化力均达到国家优级标准（麦芽水分≤5.0%、细粉浸出率≥79%、α-氨基酸态氮≥150 mg/kg,黏度≤1.60 mPa·s,糖化力≥260 WK）。大麦品种Z090M066M平均产量9 466.31 kg/hm2,位居参试品种第一位;但参试品种均出现条纹病。综合分析,Z090M066M可以进行进一步试验示范推广。     

Evaluation of the potentials of millet,sorghum and barley with similar nitrogen contents malted at their optimum germination temperatures for use in brewing

Studies on the malting physiology of barley have led to similar studies on millet and sorghum. This study compares the outcomes of the malting physiology of millet, sorghum and barley. Results show that optimal development of diastatic power, soluble nitrogen, hot water extract and the wide range of amino acids of these three cereals is related to optimal malting conditions and appropriate mashing procedures. Transfer of the nitrogen/extract/soluble nitrogen/diastatic concepts of barley malt do not apply to millet and sorghum. However, all the cereals studied produced the range of amino acids required by yeast for fermentation. Sorghum malt released the highest amounts of group 1 amino acids, usually taken up faster by yeast. It also produced and released the highest amounts of amino acids, classified as group 2, which are assimilated more slowly than group 1 amino acids. It also produced and released more of the amino acids that are slowest to be assimilated during fermentation, as well as very high levels of proline. Optic barley malt produced and released the least amount of proline. The fate of proline during yeast fermentation is not clear, but it is believed that proline is not utilized during fermentation. Copyright © 2013 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

EFFECTS OF AIR REST PERIODS ON MALTING SORGHUM RESPONSE TO FINAL WARM WATER STEEP

The effects off various lengths of air rests on response off malting sorghum main root length, malting loss, diastatic activity, α- and β-amyloytic activity and extract to final warm water steep at 40°C was investigated. Grains were steeped in distilled water for a total of 48 h at 30°C with a 6 h final warm water steep under four different cycles incorporating 1, 2, 3 or 4 h air rest periods. All malt quality properties evaluated were significantly affected by the length of air rest, the cultivar and their pair-wise interactions. Main rootlet length and malting loss reduced progressively as the length of air rest increased. Reducing power, α- and β-amylolytic activity and extract generally increased as the length of air rest was increased for both sorghum cultivars ICSV 400 and KSV 8 examined. The steep cycle incorporating 3 h length of air rest was found by experiment to give the optimum levels of malt quality indices analysed while at the same time causing considerable reduction in average main rootlet length and total malting loss for both grain cultivars.     

Changes in Germination and Malting Quality During Storage of Barley

To increase brewing yield and efficiency, malts with high extract values, high enzymic activities and good modification are essential. To produce malt that meets these requirements, the barley employed must have minimal post‐harvest dormancy and be able to germinate vigorously. The aims of this study were to determine the extent to which some Australian barley varieties changed during post‐harvest storage, how these changes influenced germination characteristics, enzyme production and malt quality, and, of the germination tests examined, which gave the best indication of a barley's malting potential. Four commercially grown barley samples were obtained, one from Tasmania and three from Victoria. Each sample was stored at room temperature for one year. At monthly intervals, samples were taken and placed at ?18°C. The germinative energy (GE) and germinative index (GI) of these samples were measured. Samples were also micro‐malted and the quality of the malt was assessed using standard EBC methodology. Storage at room temperature positively influenced the germination characteristics of all samples, with concomitant improvements in hydrolytic enzyme production during malting and in a number of malt quality parameters. It was found that, of the germination tests examined, the GI consistently correlated with enzyme activities during malting and with various malt quality parameters thus indicating that the GI is a good indicator of malting potential.     

Malting Performance of Barley Cultivar Mixtures from the UK and Poland

Two sets of barley cultivar mixtures, one from cultivars grown in the UK and one from cultivars grown in Poland, were included, along with their component cultivars, in trials at the Scottish Crop Research Institute over two seasons. In the second year, two levels of nitrogen fertilisation were compared. Laboratory scale malting revealed three mixtures with extracts equal to, or significantly higher than, those of all of their components. Increased nitrogen fertilisation gave higher diastatic power, but reduced hot water extract in mixtures and component cultivars. Polish mixtures and their component cultivars showed a higher Kolbach index but a slower rate of filtration, following malt extraction, than their UK counterparts. It was concluded that the malting performance of the mixtures was largely determined by the nature of the germplasm from which they were constructed and the conditions under which they were grown. Careful selection of components should, therefore, permit development of barley mixtures acceptable for malting.     

MALTING QUALITY OF SRI LANKAN VARIETIES OF SORGHUM

The malting quality of Sri Lankan sorghum was studied using seventeen varieties. These varieties represented four colour categories (brown, yellow, pink and white) of sorghum found in Sri Lanka. The main criteria used for the assessment of malting quality in this study were the malting loss, diastatic power, liquefying power and the quantity of extract. Malting losses of these varieties were somewhat higher than those encountered in malting barley. However, they appeared to depend partly on the malting conditions. The diastatic powers and liquefying powers observed in this study were inferior to those observed with barley malt. However, with some varieties they appeared to be adequate for the purpose of mashing, as indicated by the high extract values obtained, which were comparable with those of some barley malts. Extract values of the four colour categories varied considerably and the best values were observed with the yellow and pink varieties and some varieties of white. Brown varieties in spite of their comparatively high diastatic powers and liquefying powers gave very little or no extract on mashing.     

Influence of phenolics in finger millet on grain and malt fungal load,and malt quality

Phenolic type, fungal load, germinative energy (GE) and malt quality of finger millet grain types of varied kernel colour and phenolic content were analysed, to determine if phenolics in finger millet grain influence its malt quality. The fungal load (total fungal count (TFC) and infection levels) of the unmalted grain and malt were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with total phenolics (TP) and amount of phenolic type (condensed tannins, anthocyanins and flavan-4-ols). High-phenol finger millet types had much higher malt quality than the low-phenol types, with respect to diastatic power (DP), and α- and β-amylase activities. GE, DP and α-amylase activity were positively correlated with TP and amount of phenolic type (p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with TFC (p < 0.01). Phenolics in finger millet grain influence its malt quality positively by contributing to attenuation of the fungal load on the germinating grain.     

GRAIN AND MALT MILLING ENERGIES IN SORGHUM AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH EXTRACT AND DIASTATIC POWER

Twenty three sorghum genotypes were shown to vary widely for a range of grain and malt quality characters. Grain milling energy did not give an indication of the likely malting performance of sorghum samples. There were, however, close relationships between malt milling energy and both % extract and diastatic power, if samples with unusually high or low grain nitrogen contents were excluded from the population under study. Rapid screening of very small malt samples for milling energy and diastatic power could form the basis for malting quality selection in early generations of sorghum breeding programmes.     

Relationship between some Sorghum Malt Quality Characteristics and Nature of Alkaline Steep Liquor

Two Nigerian sorghum cultivars, SK5912 and ICSV400 were used to evaluate the relationships between nature of alkaline steep liquor and some malt quality characteristics over a five day germination period. Patterns of development of the malt quality indices examined were significantly influenced by the nature of alkaline steep liquor, cultivar and duration of germination, plus all their possible interactions at p<0.001. Maximum diastatic activity development was attained in ICSV400 and SK5912 when grains were steeped in NaOH and Ca(OH)₂ respectively. Ca(OH)₂ treatment seemed to cause significant enhancement of diastatic enzyme development in SK5912 compared to other treatments presumably due to Ca²⁺ stabilisation of α-amylase. Mean malt cold water extract (CWE) and hot water extract (HWE) were generally similar within both cultivars for the treatments except for ICSV400 where CWE appeared to be remarkably enhanced by NaOH treatment. Data on cold water soluble carbohydrates (CWS-Carbohydrates), CWS — Carbohydrate/CWE and CWS — Carbohydrate/HWE ratios showed that solubilised carbohydrate matter produced during malting constituted significantly higher proportion of total HWE in ICSV400 in contrast to SK5912.     

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.     

DURATION OF FINAL WARM WATER STEEP AS A FACTOR INFLUENCING SOME CARBOHYDRATE RELATED PROPERTIES OF SORGHUM MALT

The effects of duration of final warm steep at 40°C on main root length, malting loss, diastatic power, α- and β-amylolytic activities and extract of two improved Nigerian Sorghum cultivars (CSV 400 and KSV 8 were studied. The duration of final warm steep was varied between 1.5 h and 7.5 h. Germination was for four days at 30°C. All malt quality parameters evaluated were greatly influenced by duration of final warm steep and cultivar as well as their pair-wise interactions. Malting loss and average main root length decreased progressively as the duration of final warm steep increased. Conversely diastatic activity, α- and β-amylolvtic activity and extract yield of both ICSV 400 and KSV 8 generally increased as duration of final warm steep was increased up to 3 h before a progressive drop. Submission to varying lengths of final warm steeping appeared to progressively restrict formation of rootlets and malting loss without concomitant depression of diastatic enzymes development and extract yield. Maximum diastatic activity was attained on submission of grains to 3 h length of final warm steep. A second diastatic activity peak at 7.5 h for KSV 8 may result from increased β-amylolytic activity at 7.5 h final warm steep period. The occurrence of two β-amylase maxima at 3 h and 7.5 h duration of final warm steep for ICSV 400 indicates possible presence of at least two β-amylase components.     

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     

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.     

Effect of hot water treatments on the safety and quality of Fusarium-infected malting barley

Utilization of Fusarium-infected barley for malting may lead to mycotoxin contamination of malt and decreased malt quality. Hot water treatments may prevent or reduce safety and quality defects and allow use of otherwise good quality barley. We evaluated hot water treatments for preventing Fusarium growth and mycotoxin production while maintaining barley-malt characteristics. Four barley lots with varying deoxynivalenol (DON) concentrations were hot water-treated at 45 or 50 degrees C for 0, 1, 5, 12, and 20 min. Treated barley was malted in a pilot-scale malting unit. Barley and malt were analyzed for Fusarium infection (FI), germinative energy (GE), aerobic plate count (APC), mold and yeast count (MYC), and DON. Malt quality parameters included malt extract, soluble protein, wort color, wort viscosity, free amino nitrogen, alpha-amylase, and diastatic power. Significant decreases in FI occurred within 1 min at both 45 degrees C (41-66%) and 50 degrees C (51-69%) in all barley samples. Significant reductions in APC (1.0-1.8 log) and MYC (1.7-1.8 log) in barley were observed after 5 min at both temperatures. The largest reductions for DON were observed in malts prepared from barley treated with hot water at 45 degrees C (79-93%) and 50 degrees C (84-88%) for 20 min. GE and most of the malt quality parameters were only affected when barley was treated at 50 degrees C for 12 and 20 min. The results suggest that hot water treatments may offer the potential for treating mildly FHB infected malting barley.