The method provides an estimate of the portion of pre-germinated barley grains at the time of harvest or prior to storage in silos.
Barley intended for the production of malt is evaluated with regard to pre-germination.
The onset of germination is accompanied by the synthesis of enzymes, which can be made visible using fluorescein dibutyrate (FDB). The reagent fluoresces in the presence of lipases.
In order to make the enzyme activity visible, the kernels are first split in half and coated with the FDB reagent after which they are examined in a suitable measuring device under UV light. An intense yellow fluorescence can be seen in the parts of the kernels where enzyme activity is present.
This method describes the fluorimetric determination of high-molecular weight β-glucans in laboratory worts.
Suitable for all types of (laboratory) worts
The fluorochrome Calcofluor forms a complex with high molecular weight β-glucans (molecular weight greater than 5 kDa). Complex formation results in an increase in fluorescence; however, this fluorescence is extremely unstable due to photochemical degradation.
Reproducible measurements for fluorescence and determination of β-glucan are possible through measurement in an automatic analysis system based on flow injection (flow-injection analysis). The apparatus is calibrated using purified barley β-glucan standard solutions.
Determination of dissolved oxygen concentration using electrochemical oxygen sensors with an optochemical sensor
The basis for these O2 measurements is the detection of photoluminescence produced by an oxygen-sensitive layer. The change in photoluminescence depends on the partial pressure of the oxygen. Given the values for the partial pressure of the oxygen and the temperature, the amount of oxygen gas dissolved in the liquid can be calculated. The oxygen sensor determines the O2 content of the liquid by means of optical detection through a photoluminescent process, in which an oxygen-sensitive layer is exposed to blue light. In doing so, the molecules in this layer become excited and reach a higher energy state. In the absence of oxygen, the molecules emit a red-colored light. If oxygen is present, it collides with the molecules in the oxygen-sensitive layer. The molecules in the oxygen-sensitive layer, which have collided with oxygen, cease to emit light (refer to figure 1). For this reason, a relationship exists between the oxygen concentration and the intensity of the emitted light as well as the intensity and the rapidity with which the intensity of the light diminishes. The intensity of the light is reduced at higher oxygen concentrations, although the rate at which it does so increases. The temperature of the product and the time interval between the light signal and the emission of light (phase shift) are both measured and used to calculate the oxygen content.
The device’s construction enables the state of the blue LED to be monitored using a photodiode. Another photodiode – with a red filter – measures the oxygen-dependent red light (refer to figure 2). This light is emitted by the luminophores due to photoluminescence (fluorescence) after they reach an excited state through exposure to the blue light. As a result of this exposure, the electrons of the luminophores are elevated to a higher energy level. As they return to their original energy level, they emit a red light.