The Prediction of Quality Parameters of Craft Beer with FT-MIR and Chemometrics.

Beer is one of the oldest and most known alcoholic beverages whose organoleptic characteristics are the attributes that the consumer seeks, which is why it is essential to ensure proper quality control of the final product. Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis can be an alternative to traditional methods to predict quality parameters in craft beer. This study aims to develop prediction models based on FT-MIR spectroscopy to simultaneously quantify quality parameters (color, specific gravity, alcohol volume, bitterness, turbidity, pH, and total acidity) in craft beer. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied, and it was possible to classify craft beer samples according to their style. Partial least squares (PLS1) developed the best predictive model by obtaining higher R2c (0.9999) values and lower standard error of calibration (SEC: 0.01-0.11) and standard error of prediction (SEP: 0.01-0.14) values in comparison to the models developed with the other algorithms. Specific gravity could not be predicted due to the low variability in the values. Validation and prediction with external samples confirmed the predictive capacity of the developed model. By making a comparison to traditional techniques, FT-MIR coupled with multivariate analysis has a higher advantage, since it is rapid (approximately 6 min), efficient, cheap, and eco-friendly because it does not require the use of solvents or reagents, representing an alternative to simultaneously analyzing quality parameters in craft beer.

Production of the prolyl endoprotease (PEP) from Aspergillus sp. FSDE 16 by solid-state fermentation (SSF) and use for producing a gluten-free beer.

Beer is a beverage that contains gluten and cannot be consumed by people with celiac disease. In this context, the enzyme prolyl endoprotease (PEP) can be used to reduce the gluten content in beer. The present study aimed to produce the PEP from Aspergillus sp. FSDE 16 using solid-state fermentation with 5 conditions and comparing with a similar commercial enzyme produced from Aspergillus niger in the production of a gluten-free beer. The results of the performed cultures showed that during the culture, the most increased protease activity (54.46 U/mL) occurred on the 4th day. In contrast, for PEP, the highest activity (0.0356 U/mL) was obtained on the 3rd day of culture in condition. Regarding beer production, cell growth, pH, and total soluble solids showed similar behavior over the 7 days for beers produced without enzyme addition or with the addition of commercial enzyme and with the addition of the enzyme extract produced. The addition of the enzyme and the enzyme extract did not promote changes, and all the beers produced showed similar and satisfactory results, with acid pH between 4 and 5, total soluble solids ranging from 4.80 to 5.05, alcohol content ranging from 2.83% to 3.08%, and all beers having a dark character with deep amber and light copper color. Gluten removal was effectively using the commercial enzyme and the enzyme produced according to condition (v) reaching gluten concentrations equal to 17 ± 5.31 and 21.19 ± 11.28 ppm, respectively. In this way, the production of the enzyme by SSF and its application in the removal of gluten in beer was efficient.

Electrochemical Evaluation of Cd, Cu, and Fe in Different Brands of Craft Beers from Quito, Ecuador.

The presence of heavy metals in craft beers can endanger human health if the total metal content exceeds the exposure limits recommended by sanitary standards; in addition, they can cause damage to the quality of the beer. In this work, the concentration of Cd(II), Cu(II), and Fe(III) was determined in 13 brands of craft beer with the highest consumption in Quito, Ecuador, by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV), using as boron-doped diamond (BDD) working electrode. The BDD electrode used has favorable morphological and electrochemical properties for the detection of metals such as Cd(II), Cu(II), and Fe(III). A granular morphology with microcrystals with an average size between 300 and 2000 nm could be verified for the BDD electrode using a scanning electron microscope. Double layer capacitance of the BDD electrode was 0.01412 µF cm-2, a relatively low value; Ipox/Ipred ratios were 0.99 for the potassium ferro-ferricyanide system in BDD, demonstrating that the redox process is quasi-reversible. The figures of merit for Cd(II), Cu(II), and Fe(III) were; DL of 6.31, 1.76, and 1.72 µg L-1; QL of 21.04, 5.87, and 5.72 µg L-1, repeatability of 1.06, 2.43, and 1.34%, reproducibility of 1.61, 2.94, and 1.83% and percentage of recovery of 98.18, 91.68, and 91.68%, respectively. It is concluded that the DPASV method on BDD has acceptable precision and accuracy for the quantification of Cd(II), Cu(II), and Fe(III), and it was verified that some beers did not comply with the permissible limits of food standards.

Jambu Flower Extract (Acmella oleracea) Increases the Antioxidant Potential of Beer with a Reduced Alcohol Content.

Craft beers with different sensory perceptions have received the attention of more demanding consumers. In this sense, the application of plant extracts as brewing adjuncts is being increasingly studied. Allied with these perspectives is the consumption of lower alcoholic beverages, which also represents the desire for a market niche that has been growing gradually. The present work aimed to produce craft lager beer with the addition of plant extract and reduced alcohol content by partial replacement of malt with malt bagasse. The physical-chemical analyzes of the beer produced showed that it was possible to reduce the alcohol content by 40.5% compared to the control sample. In addition, an extract of Acmella oleracea (Jambu) obtained by supercritical extraction was added to increase the beer's antioxidant capacity. The ABTS, DPPH, and ORAC methods evaluated the antioxidant capacity. These assays were performed again after six months of storage. The quantification and identification of the significant substance in the extract (spilanthol) were performed using Gas Chromatography (GC-FID), Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), and Attenuated Total Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). The results showed significant increases in antioxidant activity compared to the sample without extract. This positive aspect opens a perspective for using jambu flower extract as a prominent antioxidant adjunct in beer.

The combination of omics strategies to evaluate starter and probiotic strains in the Catharina sour Brazilian-style beer.

Catharina sour, the first internationally recognized Brazilian beer, is characterized by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which may have probiotic potential, and the addition of fruit juice. This study aimed to evaluate the use of the starter Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 (TH-4) and the probiotics Lacticaseibacillus paracasei F19 and 431, associated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae US-05, in the absence (control)/presence of passion fruit or peach juices. Evaluation proceeded during fermentation and storage by enumeration using pour-plate and qPCR; gene expressions of hop resistance; proteome by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); and odor, flavor, and metabolome by Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME), coupled with the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. We concluded that the strains studied are recommended for applications in sour beers, due to the presence of defense mechanisms like membrane adhesion and H + pump. Furthermore, HS-SPME/GC-MS indicated that the strains may contribute to the beer flavor and odor.

A comprehensive review of the benefits of drinking craft beer: Role of phenolic content in health and possible potential of the alcoholic fraction.

Currently, there is greater production and consumption of craft beer due to its appreciated sensory characteristics. Unlike conventional beer, craft beers provide better health benefits due to their varied and high content of phenolic compounds (PCs) and also due to their alcohol content, but the latter is controversial. The purpose of this paper was to report on the alcoholic fraction and PCs present in craft beers and their influence on health. Despite the craft beer boom, there are few studies on the topic; there is a lot of field to explore. The countries with the most research are the United States > Italy > Brazil > United Kingdom > Spain. The type and amount of PCs in craft beers depends on the ingredients and strains used, as well as the brewing process. It was determined that it is healthier to be a moderate consumer of alcohol than to be a teetotaler or heavy drinker. Thus, studies in vitro, with animal models and clinical trials on cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes and obesity, osteoporosis and even the immune system suggest the consumption of craft beer. However, more studies with more robust designs are required to obtain more generalizable and conclusive results. Finally, some challenges in the production of craft beer were detailed and some alternative solutions were mentioned.

Contaminantes microbianos en cervezas artesanales embotelladas de la Patagonia andina argentina / Microbial contaminants in bottled craft beer of Andean Patagonia, Argentina

Resumen La actividad cervecera en la Patagonia andina argentina tiene un rol muy importante en la economía de la región; una de las problemáticas que enfrenta, en términos de calidad, son las contaminaciones microbianas. La presencia de bacterias y levaduras contaminantes en la cerveza produce cambios microbiológicos, físicos y químicos, que impactan en sus atributos sensoriales. No obstante, pocas cervecerías establecen criterios y políticas que garanticen la calidad microbiológica de sus productos. El propósito de este trabajo fue estudiar por primera vez la incidencia de contaminantes microbianos en cervezas artesanales embotelladas producidas en la Patagonia andina argentina, además de identificar los principales microorganismos involucrados y determinar posibles relaciones entre los eventos de contaminación y variables fisicoquímicas de la cerveza. Para ello se analizaron 75 cervezas provenientes de 37 cervecerías de 12 localidades andinas. El 69,3% de las muestras analizadas evidenció crecimiento de microorganismos en los medios de cultivo empleados para la detección de contaminantes cerveceros. La bacteria Levilactobacillus brevis y levaduras del género Saccharomyces fueron los principales contaminantes identificados. Se comprobó que las contaminaciones microbianas impactaron sobre el perfil sensorial de la cerveza y que el cambio de pH fue un indicador de contaminación por bacterias lácticas. De cada 10 fábricas estudiadas, 8 presentaron problemas de contaminación, lo que pone en evidencia la necesidad de diseñar estrategias de prevención y control de contaminaciones en microcervecerías.

Abstract The brewing activity in Andean Patagonia plays a very important role in the region's economy, being microbial contamination one of the main problems in terms of quality. The presence of contaminant bacteria and wild yeasts in beer generate microbiological, physical and chemical changes that impact on its sensory attributes. However, few breweries establish criteria and policies to guarantee the quality of their products in a microbiological sense. The purpose of this work was to study for the first time the incidence of microbial contaminants in bottled craft beers from Andean Patagonia, identify the main microorganisms involved and establish relationships between contamination and the physicochemical variables of beer. We analyzed 75 beers from 37 breweries from 12 different Patagonian cities. Our results showed that 69.3% of the analyzed beer exhibited contaminant microorganism growth. Bacteria Levilactobacillus brevis and wild yeasts of Saccharomyces were the main microorganisms responsible for these contaminations. In addition, we found that microbial contamination had an impact on beer sensory profile and also that pH was correlated with the presence of lactic acid bacteria in beer, being an indicator of contamination for these bacteria. In conclusion, we observed that 8 out of 10 breweries studied showed contamination problems, highlighting the need to design prevention and control strategies in microbreweries.

Commercial craft beers produced in Uruguay: Volatile profile and physicochemical composition.

Even beer being the most consumed alcoholic beverage around the world, there is not enough information generated for craft beers produced in Latin America, for either volatile profiles or physicochemical studies. In this work, the chemical and volatile components of ten commercial Blond Ale and nine Indian Pale Ale (IPA) beers from the Uruguayan market were studied using GC-MS. Principal component analysis applied to the data allowed differentiation among the two groups of samples while the volatile compounds and physicochemical parameters responsible for these differences were identified. The physicochemical properties revealed a great diversity between all beer samples even within the same beer style. The main significant differences were obtained for alcohol, polyphenols, bitterness, colour, and pH. Most Blond Ale beer samples were differentiated from IPA ones by raw fermentation aroma compounds such as 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, hexanoic and isobutyric acids, 4-vinyl guaiacol, and 5,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone. This is the first work that contributes to the knowledge of Uruguayan craft beers. The study also showed the ability of most of the Uruguayan microbreweries to brew Blond Ale and IPA craft beer styles that meet international standards for physicochemical quality.

[Microbial contaminants in bottled craft beer of Andean Patagonia, Argentina]. / Contaminantes microbianos en cervezas artesanales embotelladas de la Patagonia andina argentina.

The brewing activity in Andean Patagonia plays a very important role in the region's economy, being microbial contamination one of the main problems in terms of quality. The presence of contaminant bacteria and wild yeasts in beer generate microbiological, physical and chemical changes that impact on its sensory attributes. However, few breweries establish criteria and policies to guarantee the quality of their products in a microbiological sense. The purpose of this work was to study for the first time the incidence of microbial contaminants in bottled craft beers from Andean Patagonia, identify the main microorganisms involved and establish relationships between contamination and the physicochemical variables of beer. We analyzed 75 beers from 37 breweries from 12 different Patagonian cities. Our results showed that 69.3% of the analyzed beer exhibited contaminant microorganism growth. Bacteria Levilactobacillus brevis and wild yeasts of Saccharomyces were the main microorganisms responsible for these contaminations. In addition, we found that microbial contamination had an impact on beer sensory profile and also that pH was correlated with the presence of lactic acid bacteria in beer, being an indicator of contamination for these bacteria. In conclusion, we observed that 8 out of 10 breweries studied showed contamination problems, highlighting the need to design prevention and control strategies in microbreweries.

Análise da relação entre a caracterização química de cervejas e o conteúdo de alfa ácidos presente em dois cultivares de lúpulo / Analysis to study the relationship between the chemical characterization of beers and the content of alpha acids present in two cultivars of hops

O lúpulo (Humulus lupulusL.) é uma planta cuja inflorescência feminina é utilizada na indústria cervejeira para conferir amargor e aroma à bebida, sendo que, o Brasil importa cerca de 98% desta matéria-prima. Entretanto, essa planta vem ganhando destaque no país, influenciando diretamente as características de qualidade do produto final. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi explorar a relação entre o teor de alfa ácidos de dois cultivares de lúpulo produzidos no Brasil e nos Estados Unidos (primeiro no ranking em produção da cultura). O trabalho foi desenvolvido na Universidade de Estado de Santa Catarina ­Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (UDESC/CAV), em Lages/SC, no ano de 2021. Uma cerveja padrão do estilo Indian Pale Ale (IPA), com a mesmareceita base, foi produzida. Cada tratamento consistiu na adição de diferentes cultivares de lúpulo (Comet e Fuggle) de duas origens (Brasil e Estados Unidos). Os resultados confirmaram que os cultivares e a origem do lúpulo influenciam as característicasquímicas das cervejas avaliadas. A quantidade de compostos fenólicos totais, flavonoides e atividade antioxidante da cerveja produzida como cultivar Fuggle brasileiro foi 6,5% (850,09 meq ácido gálico L-1); 75,5% (95,07 meq quercetina L-1) e 13,8% (6890 mmol Trolox L-1) superior, respectivamente, em relação à cerveja produzida com o mesmo cultivar originário dos Estados Unidos. Houve uma correlação negativa entre o teor de alfa ácidos e o conteúdo fenólico e capacidade antioxidante das cervejas. As cervejas em que foi utilizado lúpulo Fugglebrasileiro, com o menor teor de alfa ácidos dentre os avaliados, apresentaram maior associação positiva com o conteúdo de polifenóis totais, individuais e capacidade antioxidante das cervejas. Assim, as cervejas produzidas com o cultivar FuggleBrasileiro apresentaram maior acúmulo de substâncias antioxidantes relacionadas com os indicadores de qualidade para o processamento e conservação da bebida.(AU)

Hops (Humulus lupulusL.) is a plant whose female inflorescence is used in the brewing industry to impart bitterness and aroma to the drink, and Brazil imports about 98% of this raw material. However, this plant has been gaining prominence in the country, directly influencing the quality characteristics of the final product. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the alpha acids content of two hop cultivars produced in Brazil and the United States. The work was developed at UDESC/CAV, in Lages/SC, in the year 2021. A standard Indian Pale Ale beer, with the same base recipe, was produced. Each treatment consisted of the addition of different hop cultivars (Comet and Fuggle) from two origins (Brazilian and American). The results confirm that the cultivars and the origin of the hops influence the chemical characteristics of the evaluatedbeers. The amount of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of the beer produced with the Brazilian Fuggle cultivar was 6.5% (850.09 meq gallic acid L-1); 75.5% (95.07 meq quercetin L-1) and 13.8% (6890 mmol Trolox L-1) higher, respectively, in relation to beer produced with the same cultivar originating in the United States. There was an inverse correlation between the alpha acid content and the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the beers. The beers in which Brazilian Fuggle hops were used, with the lowest alpha acid content among those adopted, showed a greater positive association with the total polyphenol content, individuals and antioxidant capacity of the beers. In conclusion, the beers produced with the cultivar Fuggle Brasileiro have a greater concentration of antioxidant substances.(AU)

Use of Coffee Bean Bagasse Extracts in the Brewing of Craft Beers: Optimization and Antioxidant Capacity.

Coffee bean bagasse is one of the main by-products generated by industrial coffee production. This by-product is rich in bioactive compounds such as caffeine, caffeic and chlorogenic acid, and other phenols. The aims of this work are to optimize the extraction conditions of phenolic compounds present in coffee bean bagasse and incorporate them into stout-style craft beers, as well as to determine their effect on the phenol content and antioxidant capacity. The optimal conditions for extraction were 30% ethanol, 30 °C temperature, 17.5 mL of solvent per gram of dry sample, and 30 min of sonication time. These conditions presented a total phenol content of 115.42 ± 1.04 mg GAE/g dry weight (DW), in addition to an antioxidant capacity of 39.64 ± 2.65 µMol TE/g DW in DPPH• and 55.51 ± 6.66 µMol TE/g DW for FRAP. Caffeine, caffeic and chlorogenic acids, and other minor compounds were quantified using HPLC-DAD. The coffee bean bagasse extracts were added to the stout craft beer and increased the concentration of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of the beer. This work is the first report of the use of this by-product added to beers.

A Simple Method for Evaluating the Bioactive Phenolic Compounds' Presence in Brazilian Craft Beers.

There are a significant number of analytical methodologies employing different techniques to determine phenolic compounds in beverages. However, these methods employ long sample preparation processes and great time consumption. The aim of this paper was the development of a simple method for evaluating the phenolic compounds' presence in Brazilian craft beers without a previous extraction step. Catechin, caffeic acid, epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, hydrated rutin, trans-ferulic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, and formononetin were analyzed in fifteen different craft beers. The method showed good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9966). The limit of detection ranged from 0.08 to 0.83 mg L-1, and limits of quantification were between 0.27 and 2.78 mg L-1. The method showed a satisfactory precision (RSD ≤ 16.2%). A good accuracy was obtained by the proposed method for all phenolic compounds in craft beer (68.6% ˂ accuracy ˂ 112%). Catechin showed higher concentrations (up to 124.8 mg L-1) in the samples, followed by epicatechin (up to 51.1 mg L-1) and caffeic acid (up to 8.13 mg L-1). Rutin and formononetin were observed in all analyzed samples (0.52 mg L-1 to 2.40 mg L-1), and kaempferol was less present in the samples. The presence of plant origin products was determinant for the occurrence of the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds in Brazilian craft beers.

[Non-conventional yeasts as tools for innovation and differentiation in brewing]. / Levaduras no convencionales como herramientas de innovación y diferenciación en la producción de cerveza.

Yeasts play a crucial role in brewing. During fermentation, besides ethanol and carbon dioxide, yeasts produce a considerable number of organic compounds, which are essential for beer flavor. In particular, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces pastorianus are traditionally used in the production of ale and lager beers, respectively. Nowadays, the continuous growth of the craft beer market motivates the production of differential and innovative beers; leading specialists and brewers focus on non-conventional yeasts as tools for new product development. In this work, we describe the potential application of non-conventional yeast species such as those of the genera Brettanomyces, Torulaspora, Lachancea, Wickerhamomyces, Pichia and Mrakia in the craft brewing industry, as well as non-traditional brewing yeasts of the Saccharomyces genus. Furthermore, the fermentation conditions of these non-conventional yeasts are discussed, along with their abilities to assimilate and metabolize diverse wort components providing differential characteristics to the final product. In summary, we present a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art of non-conventional yeasts, which is highly relevant for their application in the production of novel craft beers including flavored beers, non-alcoholic beers, low-calorie beers and functional beers.

Evaluation of craft beers through the direct determination of amino acids by capillary electrophoresis and principal component analysis.

The composition of beer wort in terms of amino acid (AA) content affects the final product quality, once it is related to the vitality of yeast during the initial exponential growth phase and throughout fermentation. The objective of this work was the use of a capillary zone electrophoresis method with UV-vis detection in association with Principal Component (Data) Analysis for craft beer classification. Cysteine, histidine, phenylalanine, lysine, tryptophan and arginine were the monitored AAs in wort and finished beer, which were extracted through cation exchange resin. Good differentiation among samples according to their production was obtained, showing a profile of AAs (

Modeling the Ethanol Tolerance of the Probiotic Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-745 for its Possible Use in a Functional Beer.

Saccharomyces yeasts are able to ferment simple sugars to generate levels of ethanol that are toxic to other yeasts and bacteria. The tolerance to ethanol of different yeasts depends also on the incubation temperature. In this study, the ethanol stress responses of S. cerevisiae and the probiotic yeast S. boulardii CNCM I-745 were evaluated at two temperatures. The growth kinetics parameters were obtained by fitting the Baranyi and Roberts model to the experimental data. The four-parameter logistic Hill equation was used to describe the ethanol tolerance of the yeasts at the temperatures of 28 and 37 °C. Adequate determination coefficients were obtained (R2 > 0.91) in all cases. S. boulardii grown at 28 °C was selected as the yeast with the best ethanol tolerance (6-8%) for use in the elaboration of functional craft beers.

Craft vs. industrial: Habits, attitudes and motivations towards beer consumption in Mexico.

Food choices tend to be stable over time; they do not change fast, since consumers tend to act like creatures of habits. However, food habits can evolve, like currently the craft beer category. A change of habits involves a change of perception towards a product. Therefore, what is changing in the perception of beer? Two studies were conducted to address this question. First study was preliminary and aimed at exploring beer consumption habits in Mexico and a better understanding of craft beer representation among beer users. A questionnaire was administrated to 207 consumers in Mexico City during a beer festival. Results showed that respondents could be classified in: industrial beer (41.1%), occasional industrial (24.1%), and craft beer (34.8%) consumers. Craft cluster included mostly 25-35 years old men with high-income level. Among the craft beers cited by respondents from this cluster some are industrial, suggesting that the concept of craft beer might not be well defined, or defined in ideological terms. The second and main study was conducted using consumer ethnographies to understand the motivations and benefits of craft beer consumption. Opposite to industrial, craft beer emerges as an experience-based and symbolic product rather than a utilitarian one. The main motivation for drinking craft beer seems to be the quest of authenticity. Respondents' motivations to drink craft beer are generated by three important factors: desire for more knowledge, new taste experiences, and move away from the mainstream beer consumption. Craft consumers do not drink the product for its functional attributes, they consume it for what it means and as a consequence they build an identity, perceived as more authentic and unique, in comparison to the mainstream industrial beer consumption in Mexico.