Work

Genetic and physiological characterization of yeast isolated from ripe fruit and analysis of fermentation and brewing potential

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: ‘Wild’ and spontaneously fermented beers are growing in popularity in the craft beer industry. Most of these beers are fermented by the use of either pure cultures of unconventional yeast and bacteria or spontaneous fermentation using mixed local microflora. This study examined the potential of using pure strains of new isolates of wild yeast in the fermentation of a unique beer. The microbial communities from the fruit of pindo palm, loquat, hackberry and blackberry were collected in liquid culture, then plated for isolation. Ten isolates were selected for further analysis. Strains were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and analysed for growth in a simple liquid media, fermentation in a complex media, alcohol tolerance and acid tolerance. Despite identification of some strains as the same species, they displayed a wide range of physiological properties. All strains were tolerant of pH values as low as 2.4, but none were tolerant of pH 1.9. Alcohol tolerance of different strains varied from 6 to 12%. Several strains had properties that suggest potential as primary fermenters, including the alcohol fermentation of a beer wort. Organoleptic properties of beers fermented with several of the strains demonstrated potential for commercial brewing. Copyright © 2014 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling

Source: Journal of the Institute of Brewing

DOI: 10.1002/jib.154

Authors: Michael Lentz, Travis Putzke, Rick Hessler, Eric Luman

Institution: University of North Florida

Language: English

Topic: Fermentation and Sensory Analysis

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,450

Funder: American Heart Association