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In recent years, demand for low-alcohol and alcohol-free beers has been rising. Of the many methods of producing such beers, many have expensive implementation requirements or drawbacks in terms of beer quality. The exploration of non-Saccharomyces yeast species presents a promising opportunity to overcome these challenges. These yeasts, with their diverse metabolic capabilities and unique flavor profiles, offer the potential to create innovative and flavorful low-alcohol beers. The study investigates the feasibility of using selected non-Saccharomyces yeasts for brewing low-alcohol beers, focusing on fermentation kinetics, physicochemical parameters, and the sensory attributes of the final product. The evaluated yeast species were Kluyveromyces lactis MG971263, Metschnikowia pulcherrima MG971247 and MG971250, Torulaspora delbrueckii MG971248, Wickerhamomyces anomalus MG971261, and W. onychis MG971246. Two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used as a control. The results of the study show that selected non-Saccharomyces yeast species might be used to produce low-alcohol beers. The non-Saccharomyces yeast allowed the researchers to obtain beers with an alcohol content in the range of 0.5–1.05%, while the control beer brewed with US-05 had an alcohol content of 3.77%. Among the evaluated strains, the strains M. pulcherrima MG971250 and T. delbrueckii MG971248 were found to be rated better in a sensory evaluation than the brewed and low-alcohol strains of S. cerevisiae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mead is an alcoholic beverage produced by the fermentation of a diluted honey solution by the action of yeast. Recently, research has shown the potential of S. boulardii for brewing beer and in the development of probiotic alcoholic beverages and, to date, no research has examined for mead production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth conditions of S. boulardii for the development of potentially probiotic mead. The findings show that initial wort soluble solids conditions of 30 °Brix and initial concentration of 0.030 g/L of S. boulardii obtain potentially probiotic mead with viable yeast cells of 6.53 Log10 CFU/mL, alcohol content of 5.05%, and has the presence of total phenolics (17.72 mg GAE/100 mL) and natural antioxidants (62.79 and 1.37 µmol TE/100 mL for ABTS and FRAP methods, respectively). In conclusion, S. boulardii has a potential for the development of probiotic mead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry hopping is a technique of adding hops to beer during or after fermentation to enhance aroma and flavor. It results in an undesired phenomenon called hop creep: attenuated beer undergoes a secondary fermentation. The aim of the research was to evaluate practical aspects of hop creep. In laboratory conditions hop creep was evaluated in pasteurized and unpasteurized beers and the effect of hop separation from beer after 3 days of dry hopping was verified. Hop creep analyzed in beers brewed on a pilot scale (20 L) and an industrial scale (10 hL) allowed to observe the course of hop creep in various scales of production, and to compare the process in pressure and non-pressure conditions. The decrease in the apparent extract of beer caused by hop creep occurs only in unpasteurized beers, separation of hops after 3 days reduces the extent of hop creep. Hop creep occurs faster in top-fermented beers and is equally intense regardless of the scale of production. The use of pressure conditions during dry hopping extends the duration of the hop creep without affecting the final extract content of the beer (the final attenuation of beer is the same in pressure and non-pressure conditions). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast products either active dry yeast or liquid yeast are used for beer brewing. Dry yeast offers advantages over liquid yeast, including longer shelf life, easier storage and transportation, convenient usage. While active dry lager yeast now has gained popularity in Chinese breweries, lacking knowledge about yeast physiology status during drying process hinders the customizing dry yeast for specific requirements. This study delved into the dehydration process of two lager yeasts G03 and M14 used in Chinese breweries and one commercial yeast W34/70. W34/70 with greater desiccation resistance exhibiting rapid adaptation during drying process maintained highest intracellular adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP). Improved accumulation of antioxidants including glutathione and trehalose, as well as complementary synthesis of chitin in cell wall attributed to the desiccation resistance of yeasts. Higher intracellular energy supply and anti-oxidative capacity of yeast strain facilitated the balanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Together with an effective DNA synthesis and cell replication, more cells would survive after dehydration and subsequent rehydration. Current study provides new evidence for the theory of yeast desiccation resistance and further help with preparation of active dry yeast products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Amylase (α-1,4-glucan maltohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.2) is known to be an important enzyme in beer brewing. To identify the contribution of β-amylase in more detail, two β-amylase-deficient barley, 'Backcrossed line (BCL)-Haruna' and 'Nittakei 81', were used for the investigation of malt quality and brewing characteristics. 'BCL-Haruna' was bred by the backcross method for the introduction of the β-amylase-deficient trait from landrace barley ('Tibet Violet 1') to Japanese traditional malting barley 'Haruna Nijo'. 'Nittakei 81' was bred by crossing between Japanese malting barley 'Sukai Golden' and 'Tibet Violet 1'. With regards to the malting quality under 41.0% target cast moisture in micro-malting, the diastatic power (DP) and apparent attenuation limit (AAL) of 'BCL-Haruna' and 'Nittakei 81' were 408 oWK and 416 oWK and 12.4% and 14.8% lower than those of the control variety 'Haruna Nijo'. Oligosaccharide analysis indicated that the maltose concentration of the 'Nittakei 81' wort was 19.7 g/L lower in comparison to a standard European malting barley 'Propino' wort, although the maltotetraose and maltopentaose concentrations of the 'Nittakei 81' wort were 5.6 g/L and 2.7 g/L higher than those of the 'Propino' wort. After fermentation, the alcohol concentration of the 'Nittakei 81' beer was 0.67% lower compared with the 'Propino' beer, and the extract and concentrations of maltotetraose and maltopentaose of the 'Nittakei 81' beer were 5.0 g/L and 2.5 g/L higher than those of the 'Propino' beer. The results indicate that the β-amylase-deficient barley has a unique malting quality, especially lower DP and AAL, which might induce inadequate starch degradation or fermentation. However, this trait caused no serious issues during the brewing process, suggesting the possibility of β-amylase-deficient barley as a unique brewing material including low-alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer production with a specific saccharide composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Packaging & Food Machinery is the property of Packaging & Food Machinery Magazine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Species of Saccharomyces genus have played an irreplaceable role in alcoholic beverage and baking industry for centuries. S. cerevisiae has also become an organism of choice for industrial production of alcohol and other valuable chemicals and a model organism shaping the rise of modern genetics and genomics in the past few decades. Today´s brewing industry faces challenges of decreasing consumption of traditional beer styles and increasing consumer demand for new styles, flavors and aromas. The number of currently used brewer's strains and their genetic diversity is yet limited and implementation of more genetic and phenotypic variation is seen as a solution to cope with the market challenges. This requires modification of current production strains or introduction of novel strains from other settings, e.g. industrial or wild habitats into the brewing industry. Due to legal regulation in many countries and negative customer perception of GMO organisms, the production of food and beverages requires non-GMO production organisms, whose development can be difficult and time-consuming. Here, we apply FIND-IT (Fast Identification of Nucleotide variants by DigITal PCR), an ultrafast genome-mining method, for isolation of novel yeast variants with varying flavor profiles. The FIND-IT method uses combination of random mutagenesis, droplet digital PCR with probes that target a specific desired mutation and a sub-isolation of the mutant clone. Such an approach allows the targeted identification and isolation of specific mutant strains with eliminated production of certain flavor and off-flavors and/or changes in the strain metabolism. We demonstrate that the technology is useful for the identification of loss-of function or gain of function mutations in unrelated industrial and wild strains differing in ploidy. Where no other phenotypic selection exists, this technology serves together with standard breeding techniques as a modern tool facilitating a modification of (brewer's) yeast strains leading to diversification of the product portfolio. • Mutagenesis and ddPCR allow for targeted mutant identification in brewer's yeast. • Modification of flavor profiles has been achieved in various industrial yeasts. • Heterothallic S. eubayanus strain facilitates development of novel lager hybrids. • Combination of the method with other non-GM techniques creates phenotypic diversity. • Method enables non-GMO engineering and improvement of brewing-related properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored beer consumers' and producers' perceptions of using local fruit and agroindustrial by-products in brewing. An online survey was conducted in Italy with 496 beer consumers and 54 beer producers. The survey assessed sociodemographic information, consumption behavior, and support for brewery neolocalism, along with brewers' perceptions of the sustainability of their breweries. Findings showed high consumers' involvement in sustainable eating and high support for breweries utilizing local resources and operating in a sustainable way. Breweries rated their sustainability practices as moderate, and most of them considered their efforts in using local raw materials and repurposing by-products as "excellent". Both consumers and producers considered beer made with agroindustrial by-products less tasty than those with local fruit (p < 0.05), but no significant difference in willingness to buy was observed (p > 0.05). According to cluster analysis results, the ideal consumer profile for sustainable beers was characterized by a higher proportion of females prioritizing sustainability and local sourcing over sensory quality. Therefore, using local materials or agroindustrial by-products can align brewers' practices with consumers' preferences, enhancing competitiveness and market positioning by fostering a sense of sustainability and locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of beer, a beverage of global cultural and industrial importance, has a significant impact on the environment due to the use of natural resources and the emissions generated during the various stages of the production process. Therefore, this article examines the sustainability of beer production through a review of literature articles that have used Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess its environmental impacts. A systematic literature review was conducted by selecting peer-reviewed articles published between 2001 and July 2024 using databases such as Scopus and Google Scholar. The search included studies analyzing different stages of the beer life cycle, from raw material production to packaging and distribution, using specific keywords related to LCA and brewing. The results showed that energy use and packaging are the two critical aspects identified in the review, which represent a significant part of the environmental footprint. However, it is important to note that the available studies on the subject are few and heterogeneous and they use different methodologies, impact categories, and functional units, which complicates the comparison and synthesis of results, limiting the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Recommendations were made to improve sustainability, including the adoption of more efficient technologies, the use of recycled materials for packaging, and the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. These strategies could aim to significantly reduce the overall environmental impact of beer production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hop variety Saaz is well known over the world and is usually used for brewing of lager beers. Recently, the new related varieties Saaz Late, Brilliant, Comfort, and Shine were registered. Information about these varieties is splintered and often available only in the Czech language in regional journals. This review (i) summarizes previously published data (breeding history, genetic data, basic parameters such as yield, sensory profile, concentrations of key technologically important hop compounds), (ii) presents long-term data (2004–2021), and (iii) shows similarities/differences among these varieties. All Saaz varieties are typically fine aroma hops with a relatively low content of alpha bitter acids ranging from 5 to 7 wt%, cohumulone amounts lower than 30% rel., and hop oil content of about 1.0 wt%. Even though the new varieties have no identical chemical parameters to the original Saaz, they can substitute this established standard as well. Furthermore, the varieties Saaz Comfort and Saaz Shine show high resistance to Pseudoperonospora humuli as well as very good tolerance to drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the variances in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sensory attributes across various hop cultivars, an analytical approach was employed. Specifically, gas chromatography-ion mobility spectroscopy (GC-IMS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) were employed to scrutinize the VOCs and sensory characteristics of four distinct hop varieties, namely Magnum, Palisade, Saaz, and Hersbrucker. The outcomes of QDA revealed a diverse array of sensory profiles in the hops, encompassing citrus and non-citrus fruit aromas, woody, floral, herbal, spicy, and green aromas, with noticeable distinctions in sensory attributes discernible among the various hop cultivars. The results showed that 79 VOCs were identified in the GC-IMS spectra of different varieties of hops, including terpenes, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and ketones. 140 VOCs were identified in the GC-MS spectra of different varieties of hops, including terpenes, alcohols, ketones, esters, acids, and aldehydes, with terpenes and esters emerging as the prevailing constituents in hops. The principal component analysis (PCA) of different hop VOCs was performed to effectively identify the differences among hop varieties. This study can provide a valuable reference for the comprehensive analysis of VOCs and sensory attributes in hops. Furthermore, it contributes theoretical underpinnings to inform the precise application of hops in the context of beer brewing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bottle conditioning of beer is an additional fermentation step where yeast and fermentable extract are added to the beer for carbonation. During this process, yeast must overcome environmental stresses to ensure sufficient fermentation in the bottle. Additionally, the yeast must be able to survive for a prolonged time, as a decline in viability will lead to alterations in the product. Here, we investigated the effects of bottle conditioning on beer using six different yeast strains from the brewing, wine making, and distilling industries over 120 days. The ale and lager strains resulted in a beer possessing typical characteristics of a pale ale-style beer, whereas sparkling wine and distilling yeast strains resulted in aromas that were uncharacteristic, which was expected. In addition, we observed that the various strains had different propensities to survive during bottle conditioning. Proteomic analysis was performed to ascertain protein abundance changes and reveal biological processes that potentially enabled specific yeast strains to survive longer during secondary fermentation. Our results showed that proteins associated with oxidoreductase activity and mitochondrial ribosomes were increased in the yeast strain with superior survival and were able to respond to cellular stress more effectively, whereas proteins associated with cell wall modulation were increased in the strain with poor survival characteristics. Overall, we demonstrated the impact of yeast selection on bottle conditioning and the biological processes involved in yeast physiology under these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brewing industry is constantly evolving, driven by the quest for novel flavours and fermentation characteristics that cater to evolving consumer preferences. This study explores the genetic and phenotypic diversity of European farmhouse yeasts, traditionally used in rural brewing practices and maintained outside of pure culture industrial yeast selection. We isolated landrace brewing yeast strains from diverse geographical locations across Europe, including Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, and Russia, and also included African farmhouse brewing strains from Ghana. Our genomic analysis using long-read and short-read whole genome sequencing uncovered a genetically distinct group that diverges from industrial brewing yeasts. This group, which is closely related to ale brewing strains, is preliminarily named the 'European Farmhouse' group and shows greater predicted admixture from Asian fermentation strains. Through genomic and phenotypic analyses, including flavour metabolite analysis via headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, sugar metabolite analysis via high-performance liquid chromatography, and wort fermentation analysis, we found a broad spectrum of fermentation capabilities, from rapid and efficient fermentation to unique aroma and flavour compound profiles, potentially offering novel traits for brewing applications. This study highlights the importance of preservation of brewing cultural heritage knowledge and resources including yeast cultures. Key points: • A large set of geographically diverse farmhouse brewing strains were characterized • Norwegian and Baltic farmhouse brewing strains form a distinct genetic group • Farmhouse strains show considerable diversity in fermentation and flavour formation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a fodder plant grown in many regions of the world. It is also known as a medicinal plant. Red clover contains large amounts of isoflavones, which are, due to their similarity to estrogen, called phytoestrogen; it is believed that they can increase the concentration of estrogen in women. Some studies have refuted this information, but this topic is still being researched. The aim of the work was to produce beer to which red clover is added during the boiling phase and to monitor the transfer of isoflavones from red clover to beer. Red clover was not added to the control sample during boiling. During production and fermentation, the basic physical-chemical properties of wort and beer were monitored, as well as acceptability among potential consumers, which was determined by sensory analysis. The results show that phytoestrogens do end up in beer. The analyzed beer contained biochanin A, formononetin, genistein, and daidzein, in a total concentration of 12.42 µg/mL. The control sample contained none of the aforementioned compounds. Sensory analysis gave promising results, and the tested consumers all approved the taste, smell, and aroma of the produced beer. The most notable aroma that was singled out by consumers was "hay-like". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, the craft beer industry has significantly developed with the emergence of thousands of microbreweries all over the world. These are mostly small companies that cannot afford the cost of the process monitoring systems that are usually embedded in the machinery used by industrial breweries, but they need to monitor and control the production process in order to guarantee a constant quality of beer. The development of low-cost systems for monitoring the production process would help microbreweries obtain the desired product quality consistency. In this paper, the authors propose a low-cost system for the real-time identification of the different phases of the alcoholic fermentation of beer. The first results prove the ability of the proposed system to monitor the fermentation and to detect anomalies in the process promptly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the diversified utilization of the sugarcane industry, and sugarcane syrup, as a by-product of the sugarcane industry, is a good raw material for fermentation. Bringing sugarcane syrup into beer is conducive to the enrichment of the sugar industry, and it can improve the flavor of beer and make it more aromatic. This study determined the optimal fermentation process for beer. By analyzing the consumption rate of the carbon and nitrogen sources of raw materials, the nutrient utilization of yeast, and the causes of differences in flavor substances, the flavor composition and flavor stability of beer were determined by SPME-HS-GC-MS technology. The results showed that beer brewed with sugarcane syrup as an auxiliary raw material met the basic specifications of beer. The addition of sugarcane syrup to the wort base increased the utilization of amino acids by the yeast, and LS (lager with added cane syrup) increased the nine flavor compounds of the beer, which constituted the basic flavor of the beer, bringing new flavor compounds compared with the normal all-barley beer. Forced aging experiments showed that LS produced fewer aging compounds than OWBL. Various experiments have shown that it is feasible to ferment beer with sugarcane syrup instead of partial wort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the demand for beers with a variety of flavors has increased considerably owing to the diversification of consumer preferences. Sour beer is characterized by a sour taste unlike normal beer flavor, and previous studies on sour beer have been primarily focused on addressing issues, such as inconsistent product quality and long production time, and on the associated microorganisms. Scientific knowledge regarding the characteristic flavor of sour beer and flavor components is limited. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to clarify the characteristic sensory attributes of sour beer and the component profiles that explain these attributes. Component analysis was performed on 10 traditional sour beers (eight Flanders Red Ales and two Lambics), using untargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with liquid–liquid extraction, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry targeting amines and anionic compounds. Further, sensory evaluation was conducted by well-trained panelists via quantitative descriptive analysis. Orthogonal partial least squares regression analysis was also conducted to investigate candidate flavor components. Thus, 261 components were identified and our methods could explain the flavor attributes of the examined samples. Comprehensive component profiling data also showed that differences in fermentation method, barrel aging duration, and blending ratio affected beer flavor. Further, Lambics were found to be characterized by citrus and phenolic aroma, while Flanders Red Ales were characterized by solvent-like aroma, sourness complexity, full bodied, graininess, astringency, and bitterness. These findings may serve as a basis for addressing issues related to sour beer production and may facilitate process design for obtaining targeted sour beer flavors. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sour beers play an important role in the brewing market, and their production has been growing exponentially. In light of this, six microorganisms directly related to this class of beer were studied, and the fermentation behavior of six strains used in the past for traditional commercial Berliner Weisse beer production was monitored. The microorganisms used were Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus parabrevis, Brettanomyces bruxellensis, and Brettanomyces anomalus and two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The six microorganisms were selected in a previous work, and a comparison between single and mixed fermentations was carried out via daily measurements of the fermentation parameters like pH, extract, and cell count during 22 days. The ability to isolate a specific microorganism from a mixed culture was investigated using three commonly used nutrient media and aerobic/anaerobic growth conditions. Both Lactobacillus and Brettanomyces could be isolated; however, the conditions imposed were not sufficient in order to isolate Saccharomyces. Fermentations carried out with LAB and Brettanomyces showed a decrease in Lactobacillus growth if compared to pure fermentations, but no influence on the growth of Brettanomyces could be perceived. In general, fermentations carried out in the presence of Saccharomyces were dominated by this yeast. Its quick growth seems to be responsible for the high end pH values observed as well as the decrease in cell growth for both LAB and Brettanomyces. A decrease in the cell viability of Saccharomyces was followed by an increased growth of the other microorganisms involved, possibly meaning that the molecules released through apoptosis are used by both LAB and Brettanomyces as a valuable nutrient source. The volatile compound concentrations of the first group were higher in fermentations with Saccharomyces, whereas esters' concentration was higher in fermentations carried out only with Brettanomyces and Lactobacillus. Furthermore, understanding how these microorganisms interact during the fermentation process can help brewers better control production and ensure the consistency in the quality of the final product. The end pH values and acidity reached levels acceptable for Berliner Weisse beer. This innovative approach certainly contributes to the evolution and refinement of the art of brewing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arabinoxylan is a major polysaccharide found in barley and wheat. As this polysaccharide has been reported to be involved in wort viscosity and filterability, as well as β-glucan, it has become increasingly important in beer brewing in recent years, despite the limited availability of a measurement methodology for arabinoxylan. In this study, we developed a simple method for determining arabinoxylan content in wort and beer products using a commercially available xylose determination kit. The results show a relationship between arabinoxylan and the viscosity of wort and beer products. These results were consistent with previous reports, suggesting that this simple method can be used to observe the behavior of arabinoxylan during malting and brewing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lager yeasts are limited to a few strains worldwide, imposing restrictions on flavour and aroma diversity and hindering our understanding of the complex evolutionary mechanisms during yeast domestication. The recent finding of diverse S. eubayanus lineages from Patagonia offers potential for generating new lager yeasts with different flavour profiles. Here, we leverage the natural genetic diversity of S. eubayanus and expand the lager yeast repertoire by including three distinct Patagonian S. eubayanus lineages. We used experimental evolution and selection on desirable traits to enhance the fermentation profiles of novel S. cerevisiae x S. eubayanus hybrids. Our analyses reveal an intricate interplay of pre-existing diversity, selection on species-specific mitochondria, de-novo mutations, and gene copy variations in sugar metabolism genes, resulting in high ethanol production and unique aroma profiles. Hybrids with S. eubayanus mitochondria exhibited greater evolutionary potential and superior fitness post-evolution, analogous to commercial lager hybrids. Using genome-wide screens of the parental subgenomes, we identified genetic changes in IRA2, IMA1, and MALX genes that influence maltose metabolism, and increase glycolytic flux and sugar consumption in the evolved hybrids. Functional validation and transcriptome analyses confirmed increased maltose-related gene expression, influencing greater maltotriose consumption in evolved hybrids. This study demonstrates the potential for generating industrially viable lager yeast hybrids from wild Patagonian strains. Our hybridization, evolution, and mitochondrial selection approach produced hybrids with high fermentation capacity and expands lager beer brewing options. Author summary: Lager beer dominates the global market, accounting for over 90% of commercial beer varieties. The main player in lager fermentation is the yeast Saccharomyces pastorianus, an interspecific hybrid between S. cerevisiae and S. eubayanus. Despite its popularity, the range of flavours and aromas found in lager beers is restricted by the low genetic diversity of available lager strains. Here, we explored if lager yeast profiles can be diversified by leveraging natural isolates of S. eubayanus from Chilean Patagonia. We generated de novo hybrids between S. cerevisiae and three distinct S. eubayanus Patagonian lineages. Through experimental evolution and selection on fermentation traits, we improved the fermentation profiles of the hybrids. We found that mutations in IRA2, IMA1, and MALX genes enhanced their maltose and maltotriose metabolism, resulting in higher ethanol production and unique aroma profiles. Our results also confirm that S. eubayanus mitochondria confer a greater evolutionary potential than S. cerevisiae mitochondria. The current study encourages the use of wild yeast strains to develop new brewing applications to expand the repertoire of de novo lager yeasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a critical review was carried out using the Web of ScienceTM Core Collection database to analyse the scientific literature published to date to identify lines of research and future perspectives on the presence of chemical pollutants in beer brewing. Beer is one of the world's most popular drinks and the most consumed alcoholic beverage. However, a widespread challenge with potential implications for human and animal health is the presence of physical, chemical, and/or microbiological contaminants in beer. Biogenic amines, heavy metals, mycotoxins, nitrosamines, pesticides, acrylamide, phthalates, bisphenols, microplastics, and, to a lesser extent, hydrocarbons (aliphatic chlorinated and polycyclic aromatic), carbonyls, furan-derivatives, polychlorinated biphenyls, and trihalomethanes are the main chemical pollutants found during the beer brewing process. Pollution sources include raw materials, technological process steps, the brewery environment, and packaging materials. Different chemical pollutants have been found during the beer brewing process, from barley to beer. Brewing steps such as steeping, kilning, mashing, boiling, fermentation, and clarification are critical in reducing the levels of many of these pollutants. As a result, their residual levels are usually below the maximum levels allowed by international regulations. Therefore, this work was aimed at assessing how chemical pollutants appear and evolve in the brewing process, according to research developed in the last few decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The exploration of space is becoming more feasible, and with this comes the possibility of performing fermentations in microgravity. Our study explores the potential effects of microgravity on a standard brewing model fermentation. As the fermentation of barley wort has been studied for centuries, there is an established foundation of knowledge with which to compare any changes that occur under microgravity. A modified ASBC miniature fermentation protocol (Yeast-14) was conducted within a Yuri 2.0 microgravity chamber to examine the response of Saccharomyces pastorianus to simulated microgravity conditions. Our findings reveal that yeast exhibited accelerated growth rates under microgravity compared to standard conditions. Additionally, the microgravity environment led to significantly lower levels of volatile compounds such as isoamyl acetate and 2-phenethyl acetate in the final product. Further genetic analysis showed significant downregulation of the ATF2 gene in the control group, potentially the mechanism behind the observed decrease in volatile compounds. These results show that while fermentation under microgravity is likely to eventually be commonplace, there may be changes in rate and gene expression that are beneficial or detrimental to the final product depending upon the desired characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article dives into the tradition of beer brewing from the middle of the 19th century in the historical region of Háromszék, the area known today as Covasna county, Romania. From the smallest brewhouses located in villages which only fulfilled the local needs to the large factories in the towns of Sepsiszentgyörgy (Sf. Gheorghe) and Kézdivásárhely (Tg. Secuiesc) supplying even the surrounding regions, the study also sheds light on the familial relations between brewery owners, their products as well as on what remains today of the once remarkable breweries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Craft beers are usually produced on a small scale following atypical recipes and processes to achieve flavor innovation. Beers’ hop composition offers a natural protection against biological contamination. Nevertheless, mycotoxins, such as ochratoxin A, can persist through the brewing process into the final product. In this study, the microbiological quality (aerobic mesophilic bacteria, mold, and yeast) via plate counts and ochratoxin A occurrence by HPLC-FLD were assessed in 42 samples of craft beer brewed in Cuenca, Ecuador. Aerobic mesophilic bacteria were present in 92.8% of analyzed samples and ranged from 6.6 to 8.4 log CFU mL-1. Mold and yeast were present in 95.2% of craft beers, ranging between 6.6 and 8.2 log CFU mL-1. Ochratoxin A was detected in 24% of craft beer samples, from which Ale type beers showed the highest contamination (0.03-0.51 ng mL-1). None of the craft beer samples presented levels of ochratoxin A contamination above the permitted limit; while in most of the samples, microbiological contamination exceeded the reference limits applied for industrial beer. Although craft beer production does not follow a standardized process, to ensure the safety of this popular alcoholic beverage, minimum requirements for microbiological and chemical contaminants must be considered as well as further research into control and mitigation strategies throughout brewing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humulus lupulus (hop) is a necessary material in beer brewing because its female inflorescences (called hop cones) give a floral aroma, bitterness and foam stability to beer. Various aspects of growth conditions in the cultivation area, especially temperature, strongly affect the yield and quality of hop cones. Recent estimates suggest that climate change accompanied by global warming is negatively impacting hop production, with high temperatures reducing the expression of genes that regulate beneficial secondary metabolites in hops. This underscores the need for techniques to enhance hop tolerance to high temperatures. This study explores the potential of N-acectylglutamic acid (NAG), a non-proteinogenic amino acid, to confer hops with tolerance against oxidative and heat stress by suppressing ROS accumulation. Exogenous NAG treatment activated the expression of HlZAT10/12 and HlHSFA2, which are putative homologues considered master regulators in response to oxidative and heat stress in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). Additionally, histone acetylation, a histone modification associated with transcriptional activation, was increased at these stress-responsive genes in the NAG-treated hops. These findings reveal NAG as a potential chemical compound to mitigate hop production reduction caused by high temperatures and suggest the conservation of epigenetic modification-mediated regulation of gene expression in response to environmental stresses in hops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of alcohol beverage microorganisms is of great significance for improving the brewing process and the quality of alcohol beverage products. During the process of making alcoholic beverages, a group of microorganisms, represented by yeast and lactic acid bacteria, conducts fermentation. These microorganisms have complex synergistic or competitive relationships, and the participation of different microorganisms has a major impact on the fermentation process and the flavor and aroma of the product. Strain selection is one of the key steps. Utilizing scientific breeding technology, the relationship between strains can be managed, the composition of the alcoholic beverage microbial community can be improved, and the quality and flavor of the alcoholic beverage products can be increased. Currently, research on the microbial diversity of alcohol beverages has received extensive attention. However, the selection technology for dominant bacteria in alcohol beverages has not yet been systematically summarized. To breed better-quality alcohol beverage strains and improve the quality and characteristics of wine, this paper introduces the microbial diversity characteristics of the world's three major brewing alcohols: beer, wine, and yellow wine, as well as the breeding technologies of related strains. The application of culture selection technology in the study of microbial diversity of brewed wine was reviewed and analyzed. The strain selection technology and alcohol beverage process should be combined to explore the potential application of a diverse array of alcohol beverage strains, thereby boosting the quality and flavor of the alcohol beverage and driving the sustainable development of the alcoholic beverage industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food consumption of healthier products has become an essential trend in the food sector. This is also the case in beer, a biochemical process of transformation performed by yeast cells. More and more studies proclaim the need to reduce ethanol content in alcoholic drinks, certainly the most important health issue of beer consumption. In this review we gather key health issues related to beer consumption and the last advances regarding the use of yeast to attenuate those health problems. Furthermore, we have included the latest findings about the general positive impact of yeast in health as a consequence of its ability to biotransform polyphenolic compounds present in the wort, producing healthy compounds as hydroxytyrosol or melatonin, and its ability to perform as a probiotic driver. Besides, a group of population with chronic diseases as diabetes or celiac disease could take advantage of low carbohydrate or gluten-free beers, respectively. The role of yeast in beer production has been traditionally associated to its fermentative power. But here we have found a change in this dogma in the last years toward yeasts being a main driver to enhance healthy aspects of beer. The key findings are discussed and possible future directions are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to isolate Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains from Amazonian fruits for potential utilization in beer production. Yeast strains were derived from the spontaneous fermentation of Arazá (Eugenia stipitata MacVaught), cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.), and cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum Wild. Ex Spreng. Schum) fruits. Identification of the isolated strains was achieved through biochemical assays and ITS rDNA (Internal Transcribed Spacer ribosomal DNA), sequencing, with emphasis on determining their affiliation to S. cerevisiae and assessing phylogenetic ties. Out of the 76 colonies isolated from the fruit fermentations, seven were distinctly identified as S. cerevisiae. Phylogenetic assessments unveiled significant parallels between regional isolates and commercial strains. Notably, beer brewed with the S. cerevisiae AR 03 isolate exhibits physical-chemical attributes characteristics similar to those found in American ale commercial beers. These findings underscore the untapped potential of leveraging Amazonian yeasts in brewing, a step forward for the region's burgeoning bioeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in varied applications, which are morphology dependent. Consequently, a morphology-controlled synthesis is mandatory. Although there are several studies focused on the plant extract-based biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles, the use of extracts obtained from agro-wastes is scant. Furthermore, information regarding morphology modification through the use of additional agents is even more scarce. Thus, in this study, AgNPs were synthesized using a malt extract (ME) obtained from an artisanal beer brewing process residue. Additionally, sodium chloride (NaCl), gum arabic (GA), and talc (T) were used in an attempt to modify the morphology of AgNPs. XRD, DLS, SEM, and TEM results demonstrate that stable AgNPs of different sizes and shapes were synthesized. FTIR, HPLC analysis, and the quantification of total proteins, free amino acids, reducing sugars, and total polyphenols before and after AgNPs synthesis showed that ME biomolecules allowed them to act as a source of reducing and stabilizing agents. Therefore, this study provides evidence that ME can be successfully used to biosynthesize AgNPs. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of AgNPs against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was evaluated. Results indicate that AgNPs show a higher antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Increasingly high interest in yeast–yeast interactions in mixed-culture fermentation is seen along with beer consumers' demands driving both market growth and requests for biotechnological solutions that can provide better sensory characteristics. In this study, Lachancea thermotolerans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a cell population ratio of 10:1 were inoculated for sour beer fermentation while the process conditions within the brewing industry remained unchanged. With L. thermotolerans producing lactic acid (1.5–1.8 g/L) and bringing down the pH to 3.3–3.4 whilst adding no foreign flavors herein, this study revealed a new natural, fruity sour beer with a soft, sour taste. In this study, the double-yeast mixed-culture fermentation produced more flavor substances than a single-culture process, and plenty of isobutyl acetate and isoamyl acetate enhanced the fruit aroma and balanced the sour beer with a refreshing taste. While playing a positive role in improving the beer's quality, the double-yeast mixed-culture fermentation developed in this study helps to offer an alternative mass production solution for producing sour beer with the processes better controlled and the fermentation time reduced. The stress responses of the L. thermotolerans during the fermentation were revealed by integrating RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and metabolite data. Given that the metabolic flux distribution of the S. cerevisiae during the fermentation differed from that of the non-Saccharomyces yeasts, transcriptional analysis of non-Saccharomyces yeast and S. cerevisiae could be suitable in helping to develop strategies to modulate the transcriptional responses of specific genes that are associated with the aroma compounds released by S. cerevisiae and non-Saccharomyces yeasts. In the case of some non-Saccharomyces yeast species/strains, the diversion of alcoholic fermentation and the formation of a great number of secondary compounds may, in part, account for the low ethanol yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South African National Senior Certificate examination reports consistently reflect poor performance in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects when compared to other subjects. This has resulted in a decline in the uptake of STEM subjects because many students perceive them as being difficult to learn. This phenomenon is not unique to South Africa, as many other African and developed countries are facing similar difficulties in terms of student participation in STEM subjects. Reasons for the low uptake of STEM subjects include perceived difficulty, perceived lack of ability, classroom experience of STEM subjects, and lack of enjoyment. Thus, STEM educators across the globe are confronted with the challenge of making the subjects attractive, accessible to, and relevant for students. Humanising the teaching of STEM subjects by building on Indigenous knowledges has been suggested as a way that secondary education could deal with these challenges, and turn them into STEM capabilities. The incorporation of Indigenous and other local knowledges into STEM subjects could promote authentic learning experiences, relevance, and inclusivity if teachers were prepared for this, and appropriate resources made available. In Africa, many children enrol in school while they are concurrently engaged in subsistence economic activities rooted in Indigenous practices. Leveraging the insights gained from these activities could humanise and enhance the relevance of school STEM curricula. Karanga beer brewing is one such activity that we participated in as children and, in this paper, we report our exploration of the science related to Karanga beer brewing and how it can be a way of humanising and promoting the relevance of school science and other STEM subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Sake Yeast Beer" is a beer style characterized by the unique flavor of the sake yeast strain; however, it cannot ferment wort because of the low assimilation ability of maltose. Herein, a sake yeast strain was bred for improved maltose assimilation ability and an original sake yeast strain optimized for a beer brewing environment was developed. The mutant sake yeast strains produced large amounts of isoamyl acetate (3-methylbutyl acetate) and ethyl caproate (ethyl hexanoate) responsible for the ginjo-aroma of sake. A detailed analysis of the volatile components in a small-scale beer brewing test revealed that the beer brewed with BMK3, one of the mutant strains, was composed of many volatile components generated by yeast, such as esters, alcohols, and fatty acids, in comparison to the beer fermented with a general brewer's yeast. Moreover, in a full-scale beer brewing test using BMK3, the beer was composed of isoamyl acetate and ethyl caproate at 2.3 and 6.7 ppm, respectively. On the sensory evaluation of two beers fermented with BMK3 and a general brewer's yeast, the beer brewed with BMK3 had the unique characteristics of "ginjo-aroma like fruit," remaining "sweetness," and a "rich body but crisp finish." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preliminary research was conducted on the analytical and flavor profiles of beers brewed (small-scale) with roasted specialty malts and raw malts as adjuncts. Beers were characterized by physico-chemical, sensory, and GC-MS analysis. From the beers produced, 79 volatile compounds were identified, and these were grouped into different categories. Alcohols and esters were found to be the most prevalent volatile compounds in the beers. Principal component analysis, as well as cluster analysis, was applied in order to investigate the similarities and distinctions between the various types of adjuncts and no adjunct beers. The volatile chemicals present in the beers showed that the nature and quantity of these compounds would have an effect on the flavor and quality of the beers. Beers prepared with the roasted wheat malt addition were characterized by the highest number of volatile compounds. Moreover, the beers with roasted wheat malt addition were characterized by higher bitterness (higher than the control beer), high antioxidant activity (equal to the control beer), and a high tannin content (but less than the control beer). Beers were evaluated by a sensory panel that concluded that the adjunct beers had a preferred flavor to the beers without adjunct addition. The highest-rated beer in the appearance, flavor, mouthfeel, and overall acceptability criteria was the adjunct beer with roasted wheat malt incorporated. This preliminary experimentation will help guide where future research is needed and where scale-up experiments with trained taste panels should focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional fermented beverages are culturally and socially accepted products for consumption, drinking, entertainment, customary practices, and for religious purposes. The purpose of this review was to identify some cereal-based fermented beverages and determine the differences in their production technologies. There are many unique regional variations in the preparation of each of the identified fermented beverages. They are prepared from raw materials such as maize, millet, rice, and sorghum. Majority of the fermented alcoholic beverages (binuburan, amba beer, sake, dolo, pito, and tchoukoutou) were produced using spontaneous fermentation and industrial fermentation (use of starter cultures) techniques. The various microbial communities associated with the traditional fermentation processes were dominated by Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum for Lactic acid bacterial (LAB) species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida mycoderma for Saccharomyces and Candida species (yeasts), respectively; and Aspergillus aceti and Rhizopus stolonifer for Aspergillus and Rhizopus species (molds), respectively. Acetobacter, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Weissella, Achromobacter, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, and Bacillus dominated other microbial genera. The involvement of lactic acid bacteria contributed to the safety and extension of the shelf life of the final products. Most of these beverages were found to be very rich in proteins, carbohydrates, calories, and B-group vitamins including thiamine, folic acid, riboflavin, and nicotinic acid. This article reviewed the available information, such as processing techniques of African traditional beverages, the raw materials used to producing them, and the microorganisms associated with the production processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage globally, and the demand for differentiated beers with peculiar characteristics has intensified among beer consumers, creating a significant market niche. In this study, we developed a low alcohol light craft beer enriched with olive leaf extract (Olea europaea L.). The cold mashing technique associated with interrupted fermentation was used in the mashing step. Different concentrations of olive leaf extract (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%) were added at the maturation stage. The samples were characterized by physicochemical parameters, phenolic and polyphenolic content, bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential, and microbiological quality. Results: The cold mash technique associated with interrupted fermentation provided a low-alcohol beer (≅1.3%). The bitterness dimension (19.0 to 23.2 IBU) and color (9–17 EBC) parameter were in accordance with the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) for the American Blond Ale-style. The addition of the extract enriched the content of total phenolics (171.09 to 437.4 mg GAE/mL) and polyphenolic (221.4 to 729.0 mg/L). Coumaric, ferulic, and cinnamic phenolic acids were detected in appreciable amounts in the beers. Oleuropein was the major compound in the beverage and plant extract. After adding 2% extract, the ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity, as well as the ferric reduction power, increased in beers by 28.4%, 449.1%, and 120.5%, respectively. Conclusions: The extract of O. europaea L. promoted the enrichment of low-alcohol beer samples with bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential. The results obtained indicated the potential use of O. europaea L. extract as a natural oxidant in other beverages and food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the genetic and molecular characteristics of brewing yeast strains is crucial for understanding their domestication history and adaptations accumulated over time in fermentation environments, and for guiding optimizations to the brewing process itself. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewing yeast) is among the most profiled organisms on the planet, yet the temporal molecular changes that underlie industrial fermentation and beer brewing remain understudied. Here, we characterized the genomic makeup of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae ale yeast widely used in the production of Hefeweizen beers, and applied shotgun mass spectrometry to systematically measure the proteomic changes throughout 2 fermentation cycles which were separated by 14 rounds of serial repitching. The resulting brewing yeast proteomics resource includes 64,740 protein abundance measurements. We found that this strain possesses typical genetic characteristics of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ale strains and displayed progressive shifts in molecular processes during fermentation based on protein abundance changes. We observed protein abundance differences between early fermentation batches compared to those separated by 14 rounds of serial repitching. The observed abundance differences occurred mainly in proteins involved in the metabolism of ergosterol and isobutyraldehyde. Our systematic profiling serves as a starting point for deeper characterization of how the yeast proteome changes during commercial fermentations and additionally serves as a resource to guide fermentation protocols, strain handling, and engineering practices in commercial brewing and fermentation environments. Finally, we created a web interface (https://brewing-yeast-proteomics.ccbb.utexas.edu/) to serve as a valuable resource for yeast geneticists, brewers, and biochemists to provide insights into the global trends underlying commercial beer production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ascendency of the craft beer movement within the brewing industry may be attributed to its commitment to unique flavours and innovative styles. Mixed-culture fermentation, celebrated for its novel organoleptic profiles, presents a modelling challenge due to its complex microbial dynamics. This study addresses the inherent complexity of modelling mixed-culture beer fermentation while acknowledging the condition monitoring limitations of craft breweries, namely sporadic offline sampling rates and limited available measurement parameters. A data-driven solution is proposed, utilising an Autoregressive Recurrent Neural Network (AR-RNN) to facilitate the production of novel, replicable, mixed-culture fermented beers. This research identifies time from pitch, specific gravity, pH, and fluid temperature as pivotal model parameters that are cost-effective for craft breweries to monitor offline. Notably, the autoregressive RNN fermentation model is generated using high-frequency multivariate data, a departure from intermittent offline measurements. Employing the trained autoregressive RNN framework, we demonstrate its robust forecasting prowess using limited offline input data, emphasising its ability to capture intricate fermentation dynamics. This data-driven approach offers significant advantages, showcasing the model's accuracy across various fermentation configurations. Moreover, tailoring the design to the craft beer market's unique demands significantly enhances the model's practicable predictive capabilities. It empowers nuanced decision-making in real-world mixed-culture beer production. Furthermore, this model lays the groundwork for future studies, highlighting transformative possibilities for cost-effective model-based control systems in the craft beer sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]