Abstract
The outer layers that can be dissected readily from immature barley kernels were identified by light microscopy. α-Amylase was located in the outer pericarp of developing Bonanza and Himalaya barley. Only low pl α-amylase (α-amylase 1) was detected in the pericarps but only one of the two major low pl components of α-amylase from germinated Himalaya was found in the pericarp tissue. These enzymes appeared to hydrolyze the small starch granules (2–3 μm) present in the outer pericarp of developing barley kernels. The even smaller starch granules (0.25–2μm) present in the inner pericarp were hydrolyzed at a later stage of kernel development.
