An update of analytical procedures for the determination of malt modification and malt homogeneity

First part

Abstract

In this review, to be published in four parts, an overview is presented of existing analytical methods for the evaluation of malt modification and malt homogeneity. The analytical limits and the precision (repeatability/reproducibility) are mentioned, if available, with the strength and weakness of each method. For the appreciation of the modification, 7 physical-mechanical methods, 7 physical methods, 8 visual and colorimetric methods, 13 solid-liquid extraction methods  and 6 biochemical/enzymic methods are described. For the determination of the homogeneity, a restricted number of analytical methods are evaluated. In the malting and brewing industries, outdated analytical procedures continue to be applied and too much reliance is placed on them for the evaluation of malt quality.