Canada: CGC develops method to detect and measure the degree of pre-germination in barley

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has developed a method for the malting barley industry to use to predict the long-term storage capability of individual lots of malting barley, SeedQuest posted on May 25.

The method uses rapid visco analysis (RVA) to detect and measure the degree of pre-germination in barley. It also recommends safe storage times at various temperatures and percentages of relative humidity for barley samples with various degrees of pre-germination. The method uses the RVA-StarchMaster unit.

Although a visual inspection of barley conducted during the selection processes can identify severely sprouted grain, it cannot detect early stages of germination.

"The CGC saw a clear need for a rapid and objective test," said Peter Burnett, director of the CGC's Grain Research Laboratory (GRL). "The method that we have developed will help companies make decisions about selected barley in storage and could reduce risk in marketing for producers, marketers, grain companies and malting companies."

The method was developed during a two-year research project. The project was funded by the CGC, Automated Quality Inc., and industry partners that included Agricore United, Cargill Limited, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, and the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB). Marta Izydorczyk, program manager for barley research in the CGC's Grain Research Laboratory (GRL), led the project.

To be selected and used for malting, barley should retain 95 per cent germination energy. The capacity of barley to maintain a high level of germination energy during long-term storage is diminished by pre-germination. Pre-germination, which may not be visible on the kernel, can occur before harvest and reduces the capacity of barley to retain germination energy. Barley initially accepted for malting may be rejected after several months in storage if it loses germination capacity and no longer has the high, uniform germination rates that produce good quality malt extract.

The CGC is the federal agency responsible for establishing and maintaining Canada's grain quality standards. Its programs result in shipments of grain that consistently meet contract specifications for quality, safety and quantity. The CGC regulates the grain industry to protect producers' rights and ensure the integrity of grain transactions.

The GRL is an internationally known research centre and the Canadian centre for research on the quality of grain. Its scientists ensure that the processing quality of grain is maintained from cargo to cargo and from year to year. They engage in research to expand our scientific knowledge of what constitutes quality in grain.

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