VIEW ARTICLE    DOI: 10.1094/ASBCJ-56-0085

Factors Involved in the Formation of Two Precursors of Dimethylsulfide During Malting. Bing Yang (1) and Paul Schwarz, Department of Cereal Science; and Richard Horsley, Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58105. (1) Corresponding author. Phone: 701-231-7732; Fax: 701-231-7723. J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem. 56(3):85-92, 1998. Accepted August 12, 1998.


L-Methionine S-methyltransferase (SMM synthetase) was found to be present in barley, and its activity increased almost two-fold during germination. The level of this enzyme in barley was positively correlated with the levels of S-methylmethionine (SMM) in green malt (r = 0.79, P <= 0.01), kilned malt (r = 0.85, P <= 0.01), and the level of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in kilned malt (r = 0.76, P <= 0.05). SMM primarily was synthesized during germination. The level of SMM in green malt seemed to determine the level of SMM (r = 0.97, P <= 0.005) and DMSO (r = 0.80, P <= 0.01) in kilned malt. Barley genotype, row type, and malt modification also were major factors associated with the levels of SMM and DMSO in malt. Steeping and germination temperature influenced the synthesis and levels of SMM in green malt, but kilning temperature determined the final levels of SMM and DMSO in malt. SMM started to degrade into dimethylsulfide (DMS) at 70°C. DMSO formation began at the same time. SMM was almost completely degraded at 110°C, while levels of DMSO increased under these higher temperatures. It was concluded that the level of SMM synthetase activity in barley determined the level of SMM in green malt, which in turn influenced the concentrations of both SMM and DMSO in kilned malt. Keywords: Barley, Dimethylsulfoxide, Malt, S-Methylmethionine, S-Methylmethionine synthetase


S
-Metiltransferasa de L-metionina (SMM sintetasa) fue encontrada presente en cebada y su actividad se increments casi al doble durante la germinación. El nivel de esta enzima en cebada fue positivamente correlacionado con los niveles de S-metilmetionina (SMM) en malta verde (r = 0.79, P <= 0.01), malta seca (r = 0.85, P < 0.01), y el nivel de dimetilsulfoxido (DMSO) en malta seca (r = 0.76, P <= 0.05). SMM fue primeramente sintetizado durante germinación. El nivel de SMM en malta verde parece determinar el nivel de SMM (r = 0.97, P <= 0.005) y DMSO (r = 0.80, P <= 0.01) en malta seca. Genotipos de cebada, tipo de hilera, y modificación de la malta también fueron factores asociados con los niveles de SMM y DMSO en malta. Temperatura de germinación y remojo influyen en la síntesis y niveles de SMM en malta verde, pero la temperatura de secado determina los niveles finales de SMM y DMSO en malta. SMM empieza a degradarse a dimetilsumro (DMS) a 70°C. La formación de DMSO comienza al mismo tiempo. SMM fue casi completamente degradada a 110°C, mientras que niveles de DMSO se incrementan bajo esas altas temperaturas. Se concluye que el nivel de la actividad de sintetasa SMM en cebada determina el nivel de SMM en malta verde, la cual a su vez influye en las concentraciones de ambos SMM y DMSO en malta seca.