/ RAW MATERIALS / Barley / Physiological Tests

R-110.27.611 [2016-03] Germinative Capacity of Barley – Hydrogen Peroxide Method

Germinative capacity

Germinative capacity is the most important characteristic of malting barley. It measures the percentage of viable kernels in a barley sample, independent of whether they are still dormant or not.

Germinative energy

Germinative energy measures the percentage of kernels in a barley sample, which would germinate under normal malting conditions at the time of the analysis.

A high value for germinative energy indicates that the barley is in good condition and therefore can be successfully malted.

Pre-germination (number of kernels exhibiting pre-germination)

Moist weather during the final maturation stage can cause germination to occur prematurely, while the barley is still in the field. The acrospire and rootlet develop, enzymes are produced and therefore extract is consumed (extract loss) and during the necessary drying process, germinative capacity is diminished. Floating tests and sectioning provide a certain amount of information with regard to pre-germination; however, staining methods allow the degree of hidden pre-germination to be determined. Additionally, the percentage of non-germinated and unmalted barley in malt can be established as well.

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Application/Purpose

This method describes the determination of germinative capacity using hydrogen peroxide.

Unlike the rapid method (Vitascope), three days are required for this method. Consequently, it can only be employed for barley purchasing under certain circumstances, but it is a very suitable method for follow-up testing.

Scope of Application

Barley intended for the production of malt; therefore, the barley must be evaluated on the basis of its germinative capacity.

Principle

Under the influence of oxygen, which is liberated through the degradation of hydrogen peroxide, the barley kernels emerge from dormancy. In this way, germination can be induced at any given time.