Microscopic View of the Mashing Process: Cellulosic, Pectic, and Fatty Materials¹

1 Presented at the 44th Annual Meeting, Toronto, May 1978.

Abstract

Described are microchemical techniques useful for studying changes in cellulosic, pectic and fatty materials during mashing and in the spent grains. The Alcian blue stain provides a simple way to stain formed cellulose particles such as fibers and tissue fragments and also amorphous cellulosic material such as β-glucans and kindred degradation products of cellulose digestion. The ruthenium red stain helps to identify mash particles that are rich in pectin. The Sudan III stain and the buffered neutral red stain offer convenient means for staining fat-containing tissue fragments and the oily droplets that arise during mashing.

• β-Glucans
• Cellulose
• Fats
• Mashing
• Microscopy
• Pectin