Study of antioxidant activity during the malting and brewing process

In this study the evolution of antioxidant activity was investigated during malting of different barley cultivars, and during the production of different types of beers on laboratory scale and in pilot brewery. Samples were taken at technologically important points of productions. Malts were produced from 3 spring and 3 winter barley cultivars. Two types of beers were brewed under laboratory conditions, and two in a pilot brewery. For the determination of antioxidant activity five commonly used assays were applied such as ABTS Radical Scavenging Activity, Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity, DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power and Total Polyphenol Content. Prior to malting it was observed that there are orders of magnitude differences between the antioxidant activities of the barley varieties. During malting, the biggest increase was noticed during steeping. Spring and winter cultivars showed similar trends during steeping and germination, but kilning had different effect on antioxidant activity of the varieties. The antioxidant activity of malts was always higher than the corresponding barleys. During the brewing process antioxidants were released to the highest extent during the early stages of mashing. Adequate sparging and hop boiling could further improve the antioxidant potential of the wort. Furthermore, differences between the equipment used for wort separation and hop boiling under laboratory conditions and in the pilot brewery had effect on antioxidant activity. In the course of malting and brewing by selecting the appropriate raw materials and technological parameters, the conditions for the release and retention of antioxidants can be optimized.