Production of a Novel Proanthocyanidin-free Barley Line With High Quality

Abstract

A proanthocyanidin-free (ant-free) barley with improved quality, Mokkei 92–130, was bred from the cross between Ant 13–347, an ant-free mutant and Haruna Nijo, a Japanese malting barley variety. The malting and brewing quality of the line are described in this paper, while its agronomic performance will be summarised elsewhere. Mokkei 92–130 achieved high levels in some malting quality character including hot water extract, diastatic power and apparent attenuation limit, which were significantly low in most of the ant-free lines and varieties previously reported. Cell wall degradation was also improved. Overall malting quality was found to be satisfactory in Mokkei 92–130. Pilot-scale brewing trials showed that Mokkei 92–130 had superior colloidal stability (less haze formed) in its final beer compared with the normal counterparts. Beer brewed with ant-free barley at a pilot-scale performed as well as the standard production in sensory evaluations soon after bottling, although it was rated poorer than the control after one month storage at ambient temperature.