aleurone

Meaning

The outermost layer of cells in the endosperm of many seeds, containing protein granules that serve as a nutrient reserve for the developing embryo.

Examples

• The aleurone layer in barley is essential for producing the enzymes that break down starch during the malting process.
• When milling whole grains, the aleurone is often removed along with the bran, which significantly reduces the nutritional value of the flour.