A SIMPLIFIED ENZYMIC METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF (1→3) (1→4)‐β‐GLUCANS IN BARLEY

Abstract

A rapid simplified procedure for the enzymic determination of β‐glucans is described. In this method a small sample of ground barley (0·25 g) is heated in 80% ethanol to inactivate enzymes, the β‐glucan is hydrolysed by incubation for 1 h with a high concentration of purified β‐glucanase and the reducing sugars produced are determined by reaction with p‐hydroxybenzoic acid hydrazide. The method was calibrated using β‐glucan isolated from barley and the enzymic hydrolysis was shown to be both specific and complete. 1984 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling