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Does anyone have an idea of the length of the shelf life of SEBstar? I have had two disappointing mashes, coming off at 4.5%. The enzymes are kept in the fridge but are pushing 7 months. It almost has to be that or my corn, but it is shelled from the farm store and ground just before use.

i live in a different part of the world and my enzymes are called a different name, but i am pretty sure it is much the same. i used my first set of 125ml each for 18 months before i ran out of alpha. they converted on the last as good as on the first.

Oak Pollen wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 8:31 am Does anyone have an idea of the length of the shelf life of SEBstar?

If I recall correctly, when stored under recommended conditions, they should suffer negligible degradation after a year (after which it's something like 20% reduction in effectiveness every 6 months thereafter).

Where did you get the enzymes ? Depending on your source, it's quite possible that they were not stored properly by the distributor or by the shipping carrier.

Copied from the data sheet:

SEBstar HTL® Heat-Stable Liquid Bacterial Alpha-Amylase

13591 YORBA AVE.  CHINO, CALIFORNIA 91710  PHONE (909) 613-1660  FAX (909) 613-1663 Website: www.specialtyenzymes.com  Email: adm@specialtyenzymes.com ©Specialty Enzymes. All rights Reserved SEBstar HTL® Rev. 7/10

Alcohol & Starch Division

Description:
SEBstar HTL is a heat-stable, liquid alpha-amylase enzyme. It is produced by controlled fermentation of a non-GMO strain of Bacillus licheniformis. This enzyme is food-grade, Kosher Certified and can be used to produce certified-organic beverages. SEBstar HTL is an endo-amylase that randomly hydrolyzes alpha1,4-glycosidic bonds in gelatinized starch. The prolonged action of SEBstar HTL rapidly reduces the viscosity of gelatinized starch and produces large amounts of lower molecular weight dextrins.
Application:
SEBstar HTL is used in the starch industry to continuously liquefy and dextrinize gelatinized, wet-milled corn and wheat starch for the production of low-dextrose (DE 7 – 15) starch syrups. Because of its heat stability, broad pH tolerance and low calcium requirement, SEBstar HTL can be used to liquefy starch slurries at temperatures as high as 90oC without the addition of calcium. In the alcohol industry it is used for high-temperature liquefaction of starch containing grain mashes (corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, rice etc.) for production neutral spirits. In the brewing industry, SEBstar HTL is used to rapidly liquefy and reduce the viscosity of grain adjuncts.
Benefits:
 Excellent thermal stability for liquefaction of steam jet-cooked starch.  Produces low-viscosity, liquid dextrose syrups in 90 minutes at 80 – 90oC.  Whole corn or grain liquefaction at pH 5.8 and 80 - 85oC  Increases wort yield and grain adjunct cooking capacity  Produced by fermentation of non-GMO, organism. All natural, non-synthetic ingredients
Enzyme Properties:
SEBstar HTL is a brown liquid. The enzyme has a slight odor typical of fermented products. It is completely soluble in water. When used to liquefy cereal grain starch, the optimum pH 5.6 – 6.5. SEBstar HTL has a temperature range of 50 – 90oC. For liquefaction hold times longer than 30 minutes, the optimum temperature is 80 – 85oC. Temperature inactivation begins to occur at or above 95oC and pH 6.5. SEBstar HTL can be completely inactivated in 5 minutes at pH 4.0 and 95oC. The activity of SEBstar HTL is stabilized by the presence of Ca++ ions and is inhibited by high concentrations of heavy metals.
Dosage:
The optimum dosage of SEBstar HTL depends on:  nature and dry solids (DS)% of the substrate to be liquefied  final starch-syrup dextrose equivalent (DE, %) required  liquefaction temperature and pH  liquefaction time (typically 30 – 120 minutes)  recommended dose: 200 – 800g/metric ton starch DS or whole grain.
SEBstar HTL® Heat-Stable Liquid Bacterial Alpha-Amylase

2
Alcohol & Starch Division
Quality Specifications:
SEBstar HTL is manufactured under a quality management system consistent with International Quality System Standard (ISO 9001:2000). Purity specifications comply with FAO/WHO JECFA, FCC and IFOAM recommended standards for food-grade enzymes.
Packaging: SEBstar HTL is available in 25kg Jerry Cans, 225 kg Drums and 1,100 kg tote-bins.
Storage: SEBstar HTL should be stored in a cool, dry place. Storage in unopened containers, at or below 10oC, helps to maintain maximum activity if stored over long periods. Under these conditions, activity loss after one year should not be more than 5 – 10%. Extended storage under adverse conditions, including high temperatures (>10oC) may require the use of higher than recommended dosages.
Safety and Handling:
Liquid enzyme preparations are dust-free. However, inappropriate handling may cause the formation of aerosols or dust. Avoid formation of aerosols and dust from dried out or spilled enzyme. Avoid splashing and high-pressure washing. Unnecessary contact with the product and inhalation of aerosols or dust should be avoided. In case of spillage or contact with eye or skin, rinse affected area promptly with plenty of water. Specialty Enzymes and Biotechnologies Co., provides both Material Safety Data Sheets and advice to customers regarding the safe handling of enzymes.


The information contained in this product sheet is, to the best of our knowledge, true and accurate. Recommendations or suggestions made herein are without guarantee since the conditions of use and of storage are beyond our control. Specialty Enzymes and Biotechnologies Co., does not guarantee the product can be used as described herein without prior positive testing. SEBstar HTL® is a registered trademark of Specialty Enzymes & Biotechnologies Company.

I purchased bulk enzymes from Specialty Enzymes Inc. which is now Enzyme Innovation approximately 6 years ago.
I purchased SebStar HTL and SEBAmyl GL Super.I keep them in the refrigerator.
I am still using them but was recomended to double the quantity used.
Both Jimbo and I are still having great conversion with these enzymes with no troubles at all.

Thanks to all, it sounds like the deer are going to get a treat and I need a different source of corn???

Oak Pollen wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 2:25 pm Thanks to all, it sounds like the deer are going to get a treat and I need a different source of corn???

Don't blame the corn yet.
Most likely the problem is with the mash protocol.

My protocol has been working quite well for a while. I bring 8 gal. of water to a beginning boil, shut the heat off and add 14# of cracked corn, I crack it. Put it to a low simmer and cook it for 90 min. Shut the heat off and dump it into a cooler. I then pour in about 2 gal of chilled back set to get it to 150. Add SEBstar AML and 4# of rye. No 6 row. I let it set overnight, do a iodine test put it in the fermenter add enough water to total 14 gallons. If you see where I am going wrong, I would love some input. When I said my protocol had worked for a while, it has except I had been using grits. They are such a PITA I switched to cracked corn.

I left out the part when after the 90 minute cook I let the heat drop to 180 and add SEBstar HTL

That’s a lot of backset, do you check your pH?

SebStar HTL will do a great job of prepping your corn at high temps.

PH runs in the neighborhood of 3.5 to 3.2. Again I did ok using the grits so the only thing I can figure is the corn. I am going to get a new bag from the local feed store and give it a try. Every thing I read on this forum says you get a better run with grits I just can’t see that much better. I am starting to wonder if that is the difference.

Oak Pollen wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 2:04 am Again I did ok using the grits so the only thing I can figure is the corn.

Are you milling the corn ? "Cracked", out of the bag, just isn't fine enough for good gelatinization.

Hey Oak Pollen
The finer you grind your corn the more you can pull out of it. I like to bring mine down to a cross between flour and meal.
Reread 8 balls post above with the parameters of the enzyme. Your PH is way to low!
How long are you holding the grain at 180f with the high temp enzymes??

SebstarAmyl, unground cracked corn, and no sebstarHTL? Htl and a finer grind look like the answer. Use a thumper to deal with the slop.

Or just squeeze the grains. It's not that much of an issue if you just dive in and roll sleeves.. Usually done within an hour'ish. Grind fine and hand squeeze over a colander or mop wringer.

Don't remember exactly how long ago my last Enzymash purchase was but keep em the fridge and double/triple the dose (which is very minimal in the first place) and it works great. It's been at least a year in the fridge... I guess i'll need to find a new vendor soon enough.

Cheers and good luck!
-jonny

I just did a comparison between my grind and grits and I am a long way off. You folks may be stearin me right. I will run the corn I have been using through twice and get it finer!
Corn has kicked my ass all over the south forty and every time I think I have a handle on it, I don’t. Thank You to all!

All my enzymes are kept in fridge alongside the yeasts. Never had an issue with conversions.

Oak Pollen wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 4:24 pm When I said my protocol had worked for a while, it has except I had been using grits. They are such a PITA I switched to cracked corn.

I agree, this is what I would put my bet on. Cracked corn does not convert well.

My sebster enzymes are kept in fridge and at 5 plus years old converted corn fine. The ph is a must needs over 5.6 for the HTL to work OP said his ph was way under 5.6 . You must then lower it to 4ish for the gl. I may have used 1.5 times the amount now than was recommended when new
Rod01

Just a update to this post. I did a 5 gal batch of my recipe. Ground the corn to flour, used a double measure of enzymes. It still came out crap. Got new corn from my local feed store and it works fine.
I decided to do a UJSSM with the TS corn, do you know that over half of it floated.
The moral of this story is you can get bad corn.

The TSC corn I get is bad too. I made a sieve to get rid if the dust,chaff and broken kernels before I grind it. Get about 1/2 pound of crap for every 10 pounds I sieve.