Relationship Between the Ratio of Large and Small Starch Granules Determined by Gravitational Field‐Flow Fractionation and Malting Quality of Barley Varieties

Abstract

The ratio of large and small barley starch granules was determined by gravitational field‐flow fractionation (GFFF) under optimized conditions. The optimization was aimed to reach the elution of both large and small starch granules in the focusing elution mode and long‐term reproducibility. Kernels of twelve spring and winter barley varieties grown in three testing stations during three years were used for isolation and size determination of starch granules, i.e., monitoring was conducted with 108 samples. The two‐row winter varieties had the highest ratios of large and small starch granules A/B. On the other hand, the two‐row varieties of spring malting barley had the lowest ratios A/B. The ratios of large and small starch granules A/B of six‐row winter varieties were between the previous groups. The obtained relationship between the ratio of large and small starch granules and malting properties for this set of barley varieties is opposite to previous expectations, assuming that spring malting barley varieties have higher ratios of large and small starch granules than winter ones. GFFF was shown as a suitable technique for the determination of the ratio A/B starch granules. From the point of view of the results obtained in this study, it is evident that not only the ratio A/B of large and small starch granules is important for malting properties, but other factors are also important, e.g., activity of hydrolytic enzymes.