The relationship between beta-glucanase, chitinase, and galactomannan and selected technological parameters of spring barley caryopses (Hordeum vulgare L.) and malt

Activity of chitinase, beta-glucanase, the enzymes participating in the defense reaction of plants against the infestation, was studied in 99 samples of barley and malt produced from it. In addition, the presence of polysaccharide galactomannan was studied using the EPS test. This polysaccharide is present in cell walls of filamentous micromycetes. beta-glucan content was studied in non malted caryopses of barley and subsequently in wort. Simultaneously, malt gushing potential and PDMS level in wort were followed. Contamination of wort with filamentous micromycetes determined by the EPS test was in a very close relationship to activity of chitinase in malt (0.92***) and in caryopses (0.92***). beta-glucan content in wort is not probably a parameter that is essentially affected by the caryopsis contamination. On the contrary, level of gushing in malt and PDMS content in malt are significantly associated with the parameters connected with the contamination of caryopsis with filamentous micromycetes.