Thermostability of Barley Malt Proteases in Western Canadian Two‐Row Malting Barley

During the malting process, barley is germinated via a carefully controlled procedure so that its components are degraded to sugars, amino acids, and other low molecular weight compounds that can be used for subsequent fermentation. One of the most important of these processes is the hydrolysis of proteins into peptides and amino acids. During seed germination, proteases hydrolyze insoluble reserve proteins into soluble peptides that are subsequently hydrolyzed into free amino acids. During kilning, green malt is initially air dried at 40–60°C, and then the temperature is gradually increased to 85–95°C. Although most proteases are denatured during kilning, the malt contains a small proportion of heat‐stable protease enzymes able to further break down protein in the subsequent mashing process. In this study, protocols were developed and standardized to measure the activity of different proteases. These protocols were then used to study protease thermostability in Canadian two‐row spring malting barley lines. We found a wide range in protease activity under controlled conditions. Upon heat treatment, several lines exhibited significant protease thermostability. These thermostable enzymes were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex columns for further study.     

Assessing the utility of stakeholder analysis to Protected Areas management: The case of Corbett National Park, India

This study tests the potential utility of Stakeholder Analysis to Protected Area management. Using Corbett National Park (CNP), India, as a case study, Stakeholder Analysis (SA) was used to identify important stakeholder groups and assess their relationships, relative power and importance. This exercise was undertaken to assist the managers of CNP with future strategy formulation and implementation. The results demonstrate SA to be a simple, yet effective, method that can help PA managers understand the social dimensions of their undertaking, without waiting for long-term policy changes. The results reveal possible stakeholder alliances, and those that may need strengthening to guarantee the welfare of CNP. Divergent opinions on the same issue were also discovered. This underlines that addressing low levels of knowledge and misplaced information may be of strategic importance in reducing conflict against a PA. This research also helps theorize previously unexplored relationships among stakeholders in India, using the framework of Stakeholder Theory. Repeating the exercise on a regular basis could help PA managers monitor stakeholder interactions and political positions over time.