An improved, combined extraction protocol in an 8 x 12 microwell format has been devised that satisfactorily estimates the levels of β-amylase, α-amylase, and limit dextrinase in malt. The improved protocol enables one person to undertake the assessment of 46 samples and 1 control in duplicate for each of the Ceralpha, Betamyl, and Limit DextriZyme assays, which require 5.5 hr of labor over 2 days, including an overnight extraction. The scaling down of the method resulted in the use of between one-quarter and one-fifth of the amount of substrate per assay recommended by the manufacturer, providing substantial cost savings. The increased labor and cost efficiencies described in this paper will increase the potential for diastatic power enzyme analyses to be undertaken as routine assays by malting quality evaluation laboratories, including breeding programs, maltsters, and grain traders.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Research Group:	Crop and Pasture Production
Research Field:	Crop and Pasture Biochemistry and Physiology
Objective Division:	Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:	Winter Grains and Oilseeds
Objective Field:	Barley
Author:	Evans, DE (Dr David Evans)
ID Code:	49547
Year Published:	2008
Web of Science® Times Cited:	21
Deposited By:	Agricultural Science
Deposited On:	2008-08-01
Last Modified:	2013-01-31
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