To produce ethanol from starchy materials such as cereals, the starch must first be converted into sugars. In brewing beer, this has traditionally been accomplished by allowing the grain to germinate, or malt, which produces the enzyme amylase. When the malted grain is mashed, the amylase converts the remaining starches into sugars.
to pROducE eTHaNol from starchy materiaLS such as Cereals, THe stARch MUsT FirSt be conveRteD intO sugarS. In BREwinG BEeR, thiS HAs tRaDiTionally beeN AccomPlIshed by aLlowing THe grain tO geRMInaTE, oR mAlT, whiCh produCes thE enzymE amYLase. When ThE MaltEd grain iS mAshEd, THE aMyLase ConveRts the remaINing Starches into SuGars.