A More Cost- and Labour-Efficient Assay for the Combined Measurement of the Diastatic Power Enzymes β-Amylase, α-Amylase, and Limit Dextrinase¹

An improved, combined extraction protocol in an 8 x 12 microwell format has been devised that satisfactorily estimates the levels of β-amylase, α-amylase, and limit dextrinase in malt. The improved protocol enables one person to undertake the assessment of 46 samples and 1 control in duplicate for each of the Ceralpha, Betamyl, and Limit DextriZyme assays, which require 5.5 hr of labor over 2 days, including an overnight extraction. The scaling down of the method resulted in the use of between one-quarter and one-fifth of the amount of substrate per assay recommended by the manufacturer, providing substantial cost savings. The increased labor and cost efficiencies described in this paper will increase the potential for diastatic power enzyme analyses to be undertaken as routine assays by malting quality evaluation laboratories, including breeding programs, maltsters, and grain traders.