Relationship between specific weight of spring barley and malt quality

The assessment of malting barley to determine if it meets grain quality requirements is an integral step in ensuring an efficient malting process and a good quality malt output. Specific weight (SW) is an industry standard criterion, however links between SW and malting are not well understood. In this study the effect of a changing SW on malting was investigated. Samples were manipulated according to both grain size and weight, creating grain fractions with a range in SW. Prior to malting, grain quality traits were measured, and after malting, malt quality traits were examined. Increased SW resulted in a reduced number of whole, unmodified corns in malt, implying increased levels of modification. Specific weight correlated with both hot water malt extract (r = 0.82, P < 0.01) and predicted spirit yield (r = 0.84, P < 0.01), this highlights an increased malt output. Furthermore peak gelatinisation temperature of extracted starch from the malt correlated with both SW (r = 0.69, P < 0.05) and grain density (r = 0.65, P < 0.05). This could benefit malt efficiency by increased conversion of starch to fermentable sugars, but with the same energy input. The changes in SW and consequently malt output in this study are a result of changing grain density rather than packing efficiency.     

Influence of sulphur application on hordein composition and malting quality of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in northern European growing conditions

The influence of sulphur (S) application on yield formation, hordein composition and malting quality of 2-rowed spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was studied in Nordic conditions for the first time. In a greenhouse experiment, S deficiency was indicated when 10 mg S/kg soil or less was available, by an increase in the malate:sulphate ratio in leaves. The contents of aspartic acid and cystine in grains increased and decreased, respectively. Also a substantial decrease of total hordein and the proportion of B hordein, and an increase in the proportion of C hordein were associated with S deficiency. The effect of S was further assessed in field experiments by applying N and S in four different combinations prior to sowing. No apparent S deficiency occurred in the field conditions based on the malate:sulphate and grain N:S ratio. However, in a site where the grain S content was slightly but significantly increased by S application, a change in hordein composition and malting quality was observed. Thus even in S-sufficient conditions, the end use quality of malting barley may be affected by S application.     

Evaluation of malting barley quality using exploratory data analysis. II. The use of kernel hardness and image analysis as screening methods

This paper presents an exploratory investigation of the use of image analysis and hardness analysis of barley kernels for characterisation and prediction of malting quality. A sample set of fifty barley samples representing 15 spring barley and 10 winter barley varieties grown at two locations in Denmark was used. The samples were micro-malted and mashed and analysed for 13 quality parameters according to the official methods of the European Brewery Convention. A sub-sample of the barley samples was analysed on two different single kernel instruments: (1) Foss Tecator GrainCheck was applied for non-destructive recording of single kernel size and shape (width, length, roundness, area, volume and total light reflectance) and (2) Perten Single Kernel Characterization System 4100 was applied for single kernel hardness and weight determinations. The eight variables from these single seed analyses have been used in two different ways, either as means and standard deviations, or as appended histogram spectra representing 250 kernels from each bulk sample. By the two methods, it has been possible to obtain reasonable Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) models for the structural and physical part of the malting quality complex associated to malt modification, but it was as expected impossible to predict the biochemical parameters associated with nitrogen chemistry and enzymatic power. The best model was achieved for (1→3, 1→4)-β-D-glucan in barley. The hardness of the barley kernels is by far the most important variable for describing malting performance. The additional use of the morphological data as acquired by fast non-destructive image analysis, however, also reveals some malting quality information by improving the calibration models based on hardness alone. The brightness of the kernels is by far the most important GrainCheck variable but also kernel size and shape is associated to malting performance. In general, the utilisation of the single kernel readings (used as histogram spectra), compared to sample mean and standard deviation, did not provide additional information for an improved prediction of the malting quality parameters.     

Spectroscopic and chemical fingerprints in malted barley

A unique “Matrix” of malted barley samples was produced to validate spectroscopic procedures for monitoring the malting process. Three critical factors that were examined in controlling the rate of germination were moisture content, temperature and germination time. Of interest to the malting industry, the analysis indicates the potential to identify new germplasm that, under optimized malting conditions, would produce suitably modified malt in three days of germination. It is also clear that the control of both moisture and temperature is essential for undertaking malting studies. The study suggests that Raman and FTIR could usefully complement NIR spectroscopy for monitoring grain during the malting process. For whole grain NIR measurements, the differences between test grain and control grain at optimal wavelengths of 1280 nm and 2224 nm were found to be valuable parameters for tracking progress during the malting process. The study showed the whole grain NIR most likely assessed changing properties of the periphery of the grain. This research suggested that specific calibration models using NIR for predicting malt quality attributes such as diastatic activity on whole malt are misleading and difficult to interpret because they are highly correlated with other carbohydrate/protein-related attributes of the malt.     

肥料运筹方式对不同用途大麦产量和品质的影响

为研究肥料运筹方式对不同用途大麦品种产量和品质的影响,以啤用大麦品种扬农啤7号和饲食兼用大麦品种扬饲麦3号为材料,分析4种肥料运筹方式对大麦籽粒产量和蛋白质含量及麦芽品质的影响。结果表明,在中等偏上肥力的土壤上,扬农啤7号优质高产施肥方式为基施尿素150 kg·hm^-2+复合肥375 kg·hm^-2,苗肥施尿素75 kg·hm^-2,拔节肥施尿素75 kg·hm^-2+复合肥225 kg·hm^-2,其产量水平在7 500 kg·hm^-2左右;主要啤酒麦芽品质接近国标二级,可适当减少氮肥用量及提前施用拔节肥改善扬农啤7号籽粒的麦芽品质。无论哪种肥料运筹方式,扬饲麦3号的麦芽品质指标均达不到国家二级麦芽标准,该品种不适宜作为啤酒大麦原料种植,宜作优质高产饲食大麦种植,其较佳肥料运筹方式为基施尿素75 kg·hm^-2+复合肥750 kg·hm^-2,拔节肥施尿素112.5 kg·hm^-2+复合肥375 kg·hm^-2,其产量水平在8 000 kg·hm^-2左右,籽粒蛋白质含量在14.0%左右。     

The Relationship Between D Hordein and Malting Quality in Barley

The contribution of grain protein to the malting quality of barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) was investigated by comparing the hordein composition and the malting quality in barley produced under a range of field conditions. Two malting cultivars, Schooner and Arapiles, and one feed cultivar, Galleon, were grown under five nitrogen regimes in each of two years. Hordein composition of the grain was determined at maturity using a combination of sodium dodecyl sulphate-polacrylamide gel electrophoresis and laser densitometry. Malt extract was determined on all samples after micromalting. Variation in growth conditions resulted in a wide range of grain protein contents and malt extract values, as well as variation in the proportions of the individual B, C and D hordeins in the grain. D hordein in particular varied over a 10-fold range. High levels of all protein fractions were associated with low malt extract. Total protein, as expected, displayed a strong, negative correlation with malt extract. The relationship was cultivar specific and separate regression lines were generated for each cultivar. Of the individual hordein fractions, D hordein displayed the strongest negative correlation with malt extract and its relationship to malt extract was independent of cultivar. A consistent relationship between D hordein and malt extract was observed across seasons, treatments and cultivars that was indicative of a causal relationship between D hordein and malting quality. D hordein therefore offers an alternative measurement to total protein for the prediction of malting quality over a wide range of environmental conditions and cultivars.     

Grain composition of Virginia winter barley and implications for use in feed,food, and biofuels production

Grain compositional components impacting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) use in food, feed and fuel products, must be combined with improved agronomic traits to produce a commercially viable barley cultivar. Little current information is available on grain composition and variability among winter barley genotypes. This study was conducted to determine the variability among modern hulled and hulless winter barley genotypes in grain composition. Barley types varied significantly in grain and kernel weight, starch, beta-glucan, oil and ash content, but not in protein concentration. Hulless barley had significantly higher grain test weight and starch concentration than hulled and malting types, and significantly higher beta-glucan than malting barley. Hulless barley had significantly lower kernel weights, oil, and ash concentrations than hulled and malting types. Higher starch and lower fiber and ash in grain of hulless barley versus hulled feed or malting type barley are characteristics that increase hulless barley desirability. Selection for high starch concentration among all barley types is feasible and will facilitate development of barley cultivars better suited for use in feed, malt, and ethanol production.     

氮肥运筹对啤酒大麦籽粒品质及产量的影响

为了揭示氮肥运筹对啤酒大麦籽粒品质和产量的调节效应,以啤酒大麦花30为材料,在施纯氮总量225kg.hm-2条件下,研究了不同氮肥运筹对千粒重、β-淀粉酶活性、蛋白质组分含量动态变化和产量及其构成因子的影响。结果表明:(1)随花后天数的增加,大麦籽粒千粒重、β-淀粉酶活性、醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白含量呈现由低到高的变化,而清蛋白和球蛋白含量先急剧上升,后略微下降;(2)增加拔节肥比例能显著增加β-淀粉酶活性、醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白含量,而对清蛋白和球蛋白含量影响较小;(3)千粒重、β-淀粉酶活性及蛋白质组分含量的相关性均达极显著水平;(4)随着氮肥用量后移,有效穗数、产量呈上升趋势,千粒重呈下降趋势。综合考虑各项指标,建议在类似本试验条件下的啤酒大麦生产区,基肥、苗肥、拔节肥比例以6∶3∶1为宜。     

Effect of hydrogen peroxide and ozone treatment on improving the malting quality

The effect of hydrogen peroxide (HP) and ozone (O₃) treatment during barley steeping on the quality of malt produced from two barley varieties (GrangeR and AC Metcalfe) by micro-malting was investigated. The two steeping oxidation treatments that was observed to promote barley acrospire growth. Ozone treatment improved the malt enzyme activity of endo-protease, α-amylase, free beta-amylase and total limit dextrinase to differing extents, with GrangeR improving to a greater degree. HP treatment contributed to the increase of α-amylase, β-glucanase and endo-protease. Surprisingly, HP or ozone oxidation during malting resulted in different and novel outcomes for total beta-amylase in GrangeR and AC Metcalfe. In GrangeR, total beta-amylase activity reduced with respect to the control in both treatments. In comparison with AC Metcalfe there was a substantial increase of 78% with HP and 90% O₃ in total beta-amylase activity. Malt quality including wort free amino nitrogen, β-glucan, turbidity and diastatic power was differentially increased by the oxidation induction treatment during steeping in malting. Gene expression analysis indicated that the effects of the steep oxidation treatments on enzyme and malt quality were putatively linked with the up-regulation of certain genes involved in GA synthesis (GA20ox1) and ABA catabolism (ABA8′OH). Barley grain germination assay results also showed that moderate HP induction could improve barley germination tolerance to the ABA effect. Malting including steep oxidation induction was shown to be beneficial to malt quality by improving the resultant wort quality and the efficiency of the beer brewing process. These observations point the way towards improving malt quality and the efficiency of the malting process.     

种植密度对啤酒大麦品质和产量的影响

为给甘肃省河西地区啤酒大麦的生产栽培提供理论依据,以甘啤6号和垦啤6号为试验材料,于2012-2014年在张掖市民乐、山丹和甘州区三个试点对不同种植密度的啤酒大麦的产量和品质进行了分析。结果表明,在450~900万粒·hm^-2范围内,随着种植密度的增加,甘啤6号和垦啤6号的产量以及淀粉含量均呈先增后减趋势,千粒重呈下降趋势,籽粒蛋白质含量呈先降后升趋势,而种植密度对籽粒含水量和整齐度的影响不明显。建议甘啤6号和垦啤6号在河西地区适宜的播种量为600~675万粒·hm^-2。     

Combining ability of barley flour pasting properties

Malt extract is one of the major traits contributing to high malting quality and thus a major objective in malting barley breeding programs. Understanding the genetic behaviour of this trait could make selection more efficient. However, the measurement of this trait is very time-consuming and cannot be done in a single plant since it needs a certain amount of grain. In this paper, 10 different varieties with different malting quality were selected to make two 6 × 6 half-diallel crosses for the purpose of studying the genetic behaviour of flour pasting properties, in particular pasting temperature which has been shown to be closely related with malt extract. The pasting properties were measured with a Rapid ViscoAnalyser. Both Australian malting varieties showed significantly higher general combining ability for lower pasting temperature (higher malt extract). The Japanese malting variety also appeared to be a good parent for lower pasting temperature. All the other feed varieties which are used in the breeding programs for improving waterlogging tolerance or salinity tolerance showed significantly higher pasting temperature. Since specific combining ability was not significant, the selection of parents when breeding for pasting temperature can be based on the pasting temperature of the parents. Combined with the fact that only a small amount of grain is needed for the measurement of pasting temperature, the selection can be made in early segregating generations. Preliminary study showed that a major QTL associated with pasting temperature was located on chromosome 7H, indicating the possibility of marker assisted selection for this trait.     

Combining ability of barley flour pasting properties

Malt extract is one of the major traits contributing to high malting quality and thus a major objective in malting barley breeding programs. Understanding the genetic behaviour of this trait could make selection more efficient. However, the measurement of this trait is very time-consuming and cannot be done in a single plant since it needs a certain amount of grain. In this paper, 10 different varieties with different malting quality were selected to make two 6 × 6 half-diallel crosses for the purpose of studying the genetic behaviour of flour pasting properties, in particular pasting temperature which has been shown to be closely related with malt extract. The pasting properties were measured with a Rapid ViscoAnalyser. Both Australian malting varieties showed significantly higher general combining ability for lower pasting temperature (higher malt extract). The Japanese malting variety also appeared to be a good parent for lower pasting temperature. All the other feed varieties which are used in the breeding programs for improving waterlogging tolerance or salinity tolerance showed significantly higher pasting temperature. Since specific combining ability was not significant, the selection of parents when breeding for pasting temperature can be based on the pasting temperature of the parents. Combined with the fact that only a small amount of grain is needed for the measurement of pasting temperature, the selection can be made in early segregating generations. Preliminary study showed that a major QTL associated with pasting temperature was located on chromosome 7H, indicating the possibility of marker assisted selection for this trait.     

黑龙江啤麦基地大麦育种目标及育种策略

根据黑龙江啤麦基地的生态及生产条件特点,提出了本基地主要育种目标及育种策略。育种目标应多棱与二棱兼顾。多棱以高产、抗赤霉病、增加千粒重和浸出率、抗倒伏为主;二棱以高产、抗根腐病、抗倒伏为主。科学的育种目标必须伴随着科学合理的亲本选配、杂交组合方式及选种方法等育种策略。     

海拔对啤酒大麦产量和品质的影响

为丰富大麦立体栽培理论,更好地推动高海拔地区大麦的生产,通过不同海拔种植大麦试验,分析了海拔对大麦农艺性状、品质及产量的影响。结果显示,随海拔升高大麦生育期显著延长,株高显著增高,千粒重增大,籽粒发芽率和蛋白质含量显著降低,麦芽浸出物和库尔巴哈值先升高后降低,可溶性氮先降低再升高;海拔对产量也有明显影响,在试验区内产量随海拔升高呈现先升高后降低的趋势。海拔对两个大麦品种的产量和品质的效应相同。因此,生产上应因地制宜,发挥区域优势,重视海拔对大麦品质的调控作用,以改善大麦的品质。     

Digestion of barley malt porridges in a gastrointestinal model: Iron dialysability,iron uptake by Caco-2 cells and degradation of β-glucan

Iron availability and degradation of (1→3,1→4)-β-d-glucan (β-glucan) in three whole grain porridges made from two optimised barley malts and unprocessed barley were studied in a dynamic gastrointestinal model. The malting processes, with steeping at 15 or 48 °C with lactic acid (LA), enabled a complete reduction of phytate by subsequent soaking of ground malt, still with well preserved β-glucan. Iron dialysability and iron uptake by Caco-2 cells were higher in phytate reduced porridges, compared to the reference porridge. During simulated digestion, the extractability of β-glucan increased and the Calcofluor average molecular weight decreased for all porridges, indicating a gradual degradation during passage through the model. The degradation rate, however, appeared lower in porridge prepared from malted barley steeped at 48 °C with LA. The gastrointestinal model ranked iron availability according to human absorption data and showed high repeatability when evaluating changes in β-glucan. The results indicate the potential for using high temperature steeping with LA to yield improved iron availability combined with reduced degradation of β-glucan in the small intestine, maintaining the beneficial properties of barley.     

Phenotypic,physiological and malt quality analyses of US barley varieties subjected to short periods of heat and drought stress

Drought and heat are major abiotic stresses that significantly reduce crop yield and seed quality. In this study, we examined the impact of heat, drought and combined effect of heat and drought stress imposed during the grain filling stage in 18 US spring barley varieties. These impacts were assessed based on dry biomass, seed yield and six important malting quality traits, namely, beta-glucan, free amino nitrogen, soluble protein, refractive index, diastatic power and alpha-amylase activity. Singly applied heat or drought stress evoked a diverse set of responses among these varieties with respect to biomass, seed yield and malt quality traits suggesting these varieties can be exploited for enhancing barley production based on local conditions. Majority of the tested varieties performed poorly with reference to seed yield when the stresses were applied in combination, suggesting a lack of genetic diversity in the currently grown spring barley varieties to overcome co-occurring episodic drought and heat regimes, especially during heading stages. In the wake of global climate change, enhancing adaptive capacity of barley varieties by introducing novel germplasm into breeding programs or via new technologies is vital to sustain US barley production and meet the demands of the rapidly growing brewing industry.     

Phloem sugars and amino acids as potential regulators of hordein expression in field grown malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The commercial quality of malting barley is dependent on the content and composition of grain proteins which are subjected to nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) control. In nutrient deficient soils, grain protein content is mainly a consequence of the remobilization efficiency. In order to evaluate the effect of N and S soil availability on phloem amino acid and sugar export rates and B- and C-hordein gene expression during grain filling, a factorial combination of N and S fertilization assay was carried out under field conditions. Besides, several carbon (C) and N metabolites were analyzed in leaves and spikes. We observed that, even under soil N and S availabilities that do not limit yield, N and S fertilization induced significant changes in N and C metabolism. N phloem remobilization was promoted by S fertilization independently of N fertilization and C remobilization was also promoted by S fertilization but only in N fertilized plants. The B- and C-hordein gene expression correlated positively with sugar and amino acid exudation rate, respectively. Our results suggest an important role of the export rate of sugars and amino acids in the regulation of grain prolamine expression.     

十个外引啤酒大麦品种产量及品质分析

为筛选适合甘肃河西地区种植的优质啤酒大麦品种,在甘肃民乐、张掖、山丹、黄羊镇、永昌5个试验点进行两个生长季的品比试验,对10个外引啤酒大麦品种和当地主栽品种的生育期、产量及主要品质性状进行了比较。结果表明,与当地主栽品种甘啤4号相比,10个引进品种生育期相对偏长,有8个品种比对照晚熟;品种Beatrix和Belana表现增产,两年多点试验平均产量分别较对照甘啤4号增产13.31%和8.45%。10个外引啤酒大麦品种的千粒重、发芽势、发芽率达国标一级标准;麦芽品质指标α-氨基氮和糖化力达国标优级标准,浸出物除品种Marnie外均达国标一级标准,库尔巴哈值除品种Xanadu外均达国标一级标准。经产量与品质综合分析,外引啤酒大麦品种Beatrix和Belana在甘肃河西走廊及沿黄灌区气候及土壤条件下表现优良,适宜推广种植。