INVESTIGATION OF GERMINATION AND AGING IN MORAVIAN-III BARLEY-GRAIN BY NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE

High-resolution, solid-state H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tech niques are used for the first time to study germination in imbibed Mor avian III barley grains. Whereas magic-angle spinning 1H NMR spectra r eveal the water and lipid components in barley grains, combined rotati on and multiple-pulse spectroscopy techniques provide H-1 NMR spectra of grains that reveal the protein and carbohydrate as well as the wate r and lipid components. Spectra of grains are compared with spectra of model compounds to verify assignments. H-1 T-1 and T-2 measurements u sing magic-angle spinning only and combined rotation and multiple-puls e spectroscopy techniques provide information about molecular mobility within the grains during imbibition. Some grains were subjected to ar tificial aging conditions. H-1 NMR spectral comparisons are made betwe en normal, viable grains and artificially aged grains.