I have to standardize Alpha-Amylase activity for NDF determination. However, what I can find is just protocols requiring "Hominy corn". Can I replace it with something else?
I can't find "Hominy corn", it is not a common product in Europe and it seems a "non-standard" material for standardization... I'm not an expert in analytical chemistry, this is my first attempt in NDF/ADF/ADL determination using a FOSS FiberCap instrument. Do you have any suggestions?
http://www.foragetesting.org/lab_procedure/sectionC/5/part5.2.htm
Hello Federico,
Hominy is just field corn (maize, Zea mays) that has been first dried and then soaked in calcium (or sodium) hydroxide solution. As a common food item in Mexico and southern US, you can order it from Amazon.com. For example, "Hominy Grits, White, 10 Lb Bag" from Angelina's Gourmet will cost $14.95 plus $9.25 shipping. It would be great if all reagents were that cheap.
DO NOT BUY cooked or canned hominy (or pozole). The enzymes will be denatured. DO NOT BUY instant grits. Again, the processing will have destroyed the enzymes.
Hominy will be sold either whole grain or cracked. I suggest that you get a coarse grind rather than the whole grain or the fine powder (which may have been heated during grinding thus reducing the enzyme activity).
Good luck.
Joe
by Angelina's Gourmet
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