Which layer of the barley kernel is responsible for enzyme production?

The aleurone layer is crucial for enzyme production during the germination of barley. This layer, located just outside of the endosperm, is packed with protein and plays a significant role when the grain begins to sprout. Upon hydration, the aleurone layer activates and produces various enzymes, including amylases and proteases. These enzymes are essential for breaking down the starches stored in the endosperm into simpler sugars and for releasing proteins into amino acids, which are vital for the developing plant.

As germination progresses, the actions of these enzymes prepare the stored nutrients so that the emerging plant can utilize them effectively. This is particularly important in brewing, as these enzymes aid in creating fermentable sugars, which yeast will later convert into alcohol. Therefore, the aleurone layer is key to the overall germination process and the initial stages of brewing.

The other layers of the barley kernel, such as the endosperm, germinative layer, and pericarp, have different functions. The endosperm primarily serves as a carbohydrate store, while the pericarp is the outer protective layer and does not partake directly in enzyme production. The germinative layer is involved in the early stages of germination but is