Enzymic Digestion of Walls Purified from the Starchy Endosperm of Barley
M. Kanauchi 1 and C.W. Bamforth 1, 2
1 Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-8598, United States of America
2 Corresponding author. E-mail: cwbamforth@ucdavis.edu
J. Inst. Brew. 108(1):73-77, 2002 | VIEW ARTICLE
ABSTRACT
Cell walls have been purified from the starchy endosperm of barley. Xylanases can effect the release of b-glucan from these walls, but b-glucanases do not release pentosan. Feruloyl esterase and xyloacetylesterase, with commensurate release of ferulic acid and acetic acid respectively, can effect some solubilisation of glucan. Digestion of the pentosan layer and of the feruloyl and acetyl esterification does not appear to be a pre-requisite for glucan degradation. However, no more than 15% of the total b-glucan in the wall could be extracted, suggesting that some factor other than one identified in this study is limiting the solubility of this polymer.
Key words:
Barley, cell walls, b-glucan, pentosan, starchy endosperm.
Publication no. G-2002-0321-01R ©2002 The Institute & Guild of Brewing