Too much Amylase?

Brewer's Friend 728
Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Noontime

Noontime

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
198
Reaction score
4
Location
Delray Beach, FL
Is there any downside to using extra amylase? The Amylase Enzyme Formula I have says 1 tsp per 5 gallons. I'm mashing roasted teff and oatmeal at different temperatures to see if I can get as much out of them as possible; is there any reason not to add a bit more enzyme to make sure the job is getting done? Is the 1 tsp just an approximation based on frugality? Or will it impart bad flavors? From my understanding the enzyme will attach to as much of the appropriate starches as are available, so I would think the more the better.

Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated.:mug:
 
Enzymes are not consumed during the conversion process, they do not 'attach' to starches. They grab them, snap the bonds and then move on to other starches. There is an optimum concentration for the process and adding more will not improve conversion.

Temperature is the most important factor in conversion rate.
 
david_42 said:
Enzymes are not consumed during the conversion process, they do not 'attach' to starches. They grab them, snap the bonds and then move on to other starches. There is an optimum concentration for the process and adding more will not improve conversion.

Temperature is the most important factor in conversion rate.
Click to expand...

Well that's a fantastic bit on info there! Thanks!

So is the temperature needed dependant on the enzyme or the starch? Is there one temperature?

I'm confused by this because I've seen conflicting information from seemingly reliable sources (BYO mag and Palmer and others). That alpha-amylase does it's work at room temp, but others say below 150, then others say bring to boil then add. Most say it gets "denatured" above a certain temp. So I'm trying to put this all together.

My plan right now is to boil my grains to gelatinize the starches, then add enzyme after it cools and let it sit overnight. Then bring it up to 130 for a time, then 150, then boil, add hops, etc.
 
Noontime said:
Well that's a fantastic bit on info there! Thanks!

So is the temperature needed dependant on the enzyme or the starch? Is there one temperature?

I'm confused by this because I've seen conflicting information from seemingly reliable sources (BYO mag and Palmer and others). That alpha-amylase does it's work at room temp, but others say below 150, then others say bring to boil then add. Most say it gets "denatured" above a certain temp. So I'm trying to put this all together.

My plan right now is to boil my grains to gelatinize the starches, then add enzyme after it cools and let it sit overnight. Then bring it up to 130 for a time, then 150, then boil, add hops, etc.
Click to expand...

Your plan seems like it would pretty much maximize the conversion, but make sure to pull the grain out before the second boil.

Also, 122 on the protein rest is what I would use.
 
Thanks dkershner. I ended up doing it all on the way down from the first boil. Which brings me to my next question...is it the same thing? I boiled the grains and let it cool, then at about 160 I added the amylase. It took a very long time to cool, so it was at least 2 to 3 hours before it got down to 150. I just let it sit overnight and it was still warm in the morning.

Do you think there would have been any reason to go through the process the the other way again? raise the temp to 122, 155, etc?
 

Similar threads

chrispokey
Time for another round of "Is this beer infected?"
Replies
15
Views
428
IslandLizard
IslandLizard
N
About to brew my own recipe for the first time, help me avoid an obvious mistake?
Replies
11
Views
751
ninkwood
N
Protos
Fermentis Safkvas C-73 Experience
Replies
3
Views
857
Protos
Protos
S
Risks using amylase enzyme ?
Replies
9
Views
1K
superiorsat
S
paull
Cider Recipe Questions - new to Cidermaking
Replies
3
Views
2K
Raptor99
Raptor99
Yakima 300

Latest posts

Back
Top