The effects of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide steeping regimes on endosperm modification and embryo growth of germinating barley seeds

Abstract

A study has been made of the effects of O2, N2, CO2, and air treatment during steeping of two varieties of barley, Nordal from Denmark and Tokak from Turkey. Steeping time was varied from 1 to 3 days and the seeds subsequently germinated on sand for 7 days. Water uptake, endosperm modification (measured as cell wall breakdown), and embryo growth (measured as root and shoot growth) were monitored throughout germination. The results showed that steeping in the presence of pure O2 and CO2 were toxic and inhibited subsequent water uptake, modification, and embryo growth. Anaerobic steeping in the presence of N2 had little inhibitory effect on these three parameters when compared to steeping in well aerated water. It is confirmed that removal of CO2 from grains during steeping is more important than addition of oxygen. © 1983 Carlsberg Laboratory.