The present disclosure provides polypeptides having aminopeptidase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. In some embodiments, the disclosure also provides to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing the polypeptides. In some embodiments, the present disclosure further provides to methods of obtaining protein hydrolysates useful as flavor improving agents.

A malted dehusked barley having the following combination of features is disclosed: a moisture content of not more than 10 wt. %; a colour value of less than 22 EBC; an alpha amylase activity of less than 58 Dextrinizing Units (DU) per gram of dry matter; an extract content of solid adjuncts (C.sub.E) of at least 79% by weight of dry matter; a Klason lignin content (C.sub.L) of less than 1.8% by weight of dry matter; an ash content (C.sub.A) of less than 2.2% by weight of dry matter; wherein 25C.sub.E/(C.sub.L*C.sub.A)160. The malt can be produced by a malting process that (i) comprises the step of at least partial dehusking barley grains prior to malting and (ii) employs a shortened germination period.

A peeled chit malt having the following combination of features is disclosed: (a) a moisture content of less than 15 wt. %; (b) an alpha-amylase activity of less than 58 Dextrinizing Units (DU) per gram of dry matter; (c) an extract content of solid adjuncts (C.sub.E) of at least 79% by weight of dry matter; and (d) a Klason lignin content (C.sub.L) of less than 1.8% by weight of dry matter; and (e) an ash content (C.sub.A) of less than 2.2% by weight of dry matter, wherein 25C.sub.E/(C.sub.L*C.sub.A)160. The malt can be produced by a malting process that differs from the process that is used to produce ordinary malt in that it employs a shortened germination period of 12 to 72 hours and further in that it employs a peeling step after kilning.

A continuous method of producing dried malted grains is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) providing a continuous stream of steeped grains having a water content of at least 30 wt. %; (b) transporting the stream through a germination stage to produce a continuous stream of malted grains, the germination stage comprising (i) maintaining the grains at 10-30 C. and (ii) maintaining the water content of the grains within the range of 20-38 wt. %, the residence time of the grains in the germination stage being in the range of 12 to 36 hours; (c) transporting a layer of the malted grains with a second moving conveyor through a drying stage to produce a continuous stream of dried malted grains, the residence time of the grains in the drying stage being in the range of 2 to 24 hours. Also disclosed is a dried malted barley that is obtained by the aforementioned method.

A continuous method of producing dried malted grains is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) providing a continuous stream of steeped grains having a water content of at least 30 wt. %; (b) transporting the stream through a germination stage to produce a continuous stream of malted grains, the germination stage comprising (i) maintaining the grains at 10-30 C. and (ii) maintaining the water content of the grains within the range of 20-38 wt. %, the residence time of the grains in the germination stage being in the range of 12 to 36 hours; (c) transporting a layer of the malted grains with a second moving conveyor through a drying stage to produce a continuous stream of dried malted grains, the residence time of the grains in the drying stage being in the range of 2 to 24 hours. Also disclosed is a dried malted barley that is obtained by the aforementioned method.

The present application discloses a malt production method and a method for improving the antioxidant activity of malt, wherein grains are subjected to at least one steeping step, in which the grains are immersed in hydrogen water with a dissolved hydrogen concentration of 0.3 to 1.6 ppm. By using hydrogen rich water in malt production, it is possible to take into account simultaneous improvements to multiple quality indicators at the same time. The positive biological effects of hydrogen rich water are especially significant. The increased content of -amino nitrogen in the malt brings greater economic benefit to malt producers. Moreover, the colour intensity and turbidity of the malt are significantly reduced, effectively solving the problem of wort often being turbid. The endogenous antioxidant activity of malt, wort and even fermented beverages is increased, as desired by malt producers and the brewing industry. No additional additives are introduced during malt production.

The present application discloses a malt production method and a method for improving the antioxidant activity of malt, wherein grains are subjected to at least one steeping step, in which the grains are immersed in hydrogen water with a dissolved hydrogen concentration of 0.3 to 1.6 ppm. By using hydrogen rich water in malt production, it is possible to take into account simultaneous improvements to multiple quality indicators at the same time. The positive biological effects of hydrogen rich water are especially significant. The increased content of -amino nitrogen in the malt brings greater economic benefit to malt producers. Moreover, the colour intensity and turbidity of the malt are significantly reduced, effectively solving the problem of wort often being turbid. The endogenous antioxidant activity of malt, wort and even fermented beverages is increased, as desired by malt producers and the brewing industry. No additional additives are introduced during malt production.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method of accelerating a malting process. In the method, a grain is steeped in water including -glucanase to produce chitted malt. The chitted malt is germinated to produce green malt, and during germinating, an aqueous mixture including -glucanase and Gibberellic acid is applied to the chitted malt. The green malt is then kilned to reduce the moisture content to produce a batch of malt. Advantageously, the finished batch of malt exhibits lower levels of deoxynivalenol contamination than conventional malts.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method of accelerating a malting process. In the method, a grain is steeped in water including -glucanase to produce chitted malt. The chitted malt is germinated to produce green malt, and during germinating, an aqueous mixture including -glucanase and Gibberellic acid is applied to the chitted malt. The green malt is then kilned to reduce the moisture content to produce a batch of malt. Advantageously, the finished batch of malt exhibits lower levels of deoxynivalenol contamination than conventional malts.

This disclosure relates to methods to increase hydrolytic enzyme activity in a barley grain. The methods include application of photon energy to barley grain during the germination period of a malting process. The applied photon energy causes a stress to the barley grain that is sufficient to increase enzymatic levels and/or reduce the germination period.