A New Method To Monitor Water Distribution in Steeped Barley
MBAA TQ vol. 42, no. 1, 2005, pp.
49-53 |
VIEW ARTICLE
Robert E. Muller and David Alba Cubertorer. Brewing Research International,
Lyttel Hall, Nutfield, Surrey RH1 4HY, United Kingdom.
Abstract
A new method has been developed to assess the distribution of water inside
steeped barley grains. The new method is called the Laser Hydration Test and
relies on the measurement of laser light transmission through barley grains
before and after the grains are heated to produce starch gelatinization.
Hydrated endosperm gelatinizes upon heating, and the gelatinized material allows
light to pass through the grain. Nonhydrated material does not gelatinize and
the light is obstructed. There is a high correlation between the amount of light
passing through the grain and the water distribution inside the grains detected
by visual inspection. The Laser Hydration Test is easy to perform, fast,
accurate, and objective, and it provides a quantitative measurement of the water
distribution inside steeped barley.
Keywords: barley, laser, malt, method, water distribution
S�ntesis
Se ha desarrollado un m�todo para evaluar la distribuci�n de agua dentro de
los granos de cebada durante el remojo. Este �Laser Hydration Test� mide la
transmisi�n de luz l�ser a trav�s de granos de cebada antes y despu�s de ser
calentados para producir la gelatinizaci�n del almid�n. El endospermo
hidratado se gelatiniza al calentarlo y el material gelatinizado permite el paso
de luz, mientras que el material no hidratado no se gelatiniza y obstaculiza el
paso de luz. Existe una alta correlaci�n entre la cantidad de luz que pasa a
trav�s del grano y la distribuci�n de agua dentro de los granos evaluado
visualmente. Esta prueba es f�cil de realizar. Es r�pido, preciso y objetivo,
dando una medici�n cuantitativa de la distribuci�n de agua dentro del grano
remojado.
Palabras claves: cebada, laser, malta, m�todo, distribuci�n de agua
