Evaluation of Moravian III Malt Modification Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

The endosperm morphology of Moravian III barley during germination was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To eliminate much of the subjectivity in SEM studies, a method was developed to quantitatively evaluate the appearance of structures in the endosperm thought to influence malt modification. Values for the appearance of amylase pitting of large starch granules, numbers of small starch granules, protein, and cell wall material were compared with results from various chemical and physical modification tests performed on the same malt. The progression of modification indicated by these tests was not evident in the endosperm morphology as seen with SEM.