FACTORS INFLUENCING DIASTASE FORMATION 



235 



samples is as 25.5 : 25.8. Likewise, table 7 shows that at 20°C. 

 the diastase formation is dependent on the water content of the 

 grains since in the samples an increase in the water of from 

 11.51% to 30.97% shows a concomitant decrease in the conver- 

 sion time; that is, an increase in diastase formation. The water 

 content of the grains suspended above a saturated solution 

 (5.75 grains) is to the water content of the grains suspended 

 above distilled water (15.48 grams) as 5.75 : 15.48. The diastase 

 of the same samples is as 35.5 : 23.1. This is also true of sam- 

 ples maintained at a temperature of 25°C. (tables 7 and 8). 

 In this instance the water content of the grains above a saturated 



TABLE 8 

 Quantity of water present in grain used for diastase determination 



solution of CaCl 2 (5.99 grams) is to the water content of the grains 

 suspended above distilled water (16.24 grams) as 5.99 : 16.24. 

 The diastase of these same samples is as 34.8 : 20. 



Tables 5 and 6 give a comparison of the water content and of 

 the diastase activity of grains at 30°C. Here, as in the previous 

 experiments, the dependence of the diastase formation on the 

 water content is clearly shown, as each increase in water content 

 causes a concomitant decrease in the time necessary for conver- 

 sion. Thus, the water content (table 9) of the grains after 2 

 hours (0.85 gram) is to the water content after 12 hours (1.37 

 grams) as 0.85 : 1.37. The diastase of the samples is as 7.6 : 4.75. 

 There is also a marked difference between the diastase of the 

 samples which have been immersed in a saturated solution of 



