Effect of Germination Moisture and Time on Pearl Millet Malt Quality - With Respect to Its Opaque and Lager Beer Brewing Potential

Abstract

The effect of germination moisture and time on pearl millet malt quality was investigated. Two pearl millet varieties SDMV 89004 and 91018 were germinated at 25°C under three different watering regimes for 5 days. As with sorghum malting, diastatic power, beta-amylase activity, free α-amino nitrogen (FAN), hot water extract and malting loss all increased with level of watering. However, pearl millet malt had a much higher level of beta-amylase and higher FAN than sorghum malt and a similar level of extract. Malting losses were similar or lower than with sorghum. Thus, it appears that pearl millet malt has perhaps even better potential than sorghum malt in lager beer brewing, at least as a barley malt extender, especially in areas where these grains are cultivated and barley cannot be economically cultivated. Also, its increased use in commercial opaque beer brewing, where sorghum malt is currently used, could be beneficial.