The Impact of Malt Derived Proteins on Beer Foam Quality. Part I. The Effect of Germination and Kilning on the Level of Protein Z4, Protein Z7 and LTP1

Abstract

The effect of barley germination and kilning on three putative beer foam-positive proteins was investigated by immunoblotting and ELISA procedures. These procedures involved the use of specific antibodies raised to purified lipid transfer protein 1 (LTP1)and the two protein Z forms, Z4 (BSZ4) and Z7 (BSZ7). The free fraction of BSZ4 and BSZ7, and all LTP1 were extracted by aqueous salt-solution from barley and malt. The addition of reducing agent allowed the extraction of bound BSZ4 and BSZ7. A previously undescribed fraction of BSZ4 and BSZ7, refered to as latent, was extracted with SDS and reducing agent. The barley combined fraction (free + bound fractions) was surveyed in 93 barley varieties to show that BSZ4 was the dominant isoform, on average constituting ˜80 % of all protein Z. Considerable variation was observed between varieties in the level of LTP1 (502–1144 μg/g) and the combined fractions of BSZ4 (18–2136 μg/g) and BSZ7 (38–771 μg/g). The free fraction is expected to be more available for extraction into wort during mashing than the bound or latent fractions. The level of LTP1 did not change substantially during germination, but a significant proportion of the latent and/or bound protein Z fractions was converted into the free fraction. In the seven varieties studied the free fraction of BSZ4 and BSZ7 increased 149–300% and 49–141%, respectively. Proteolytic cleavage in the reactive site loop converts protein Z to heat- and protease-stable forms that survive the brewing process. During germination most of the free BSZ4 and 30–70% BSZ7 was converted to the cleaved form. Kilning was found to reduce the amount of protein Z and LTP1 that could be extracted by 10–30% and 7–37%, respectively, which is likely to be counter productive for foam quality. These results suggest that barley variety selection and optimisation of germination and kilning protocols during malting may be opportunities for improvement of beer foam quality.