Kvasny Prum. 2018; 64(5): 217-223 | DOI: 10.18832/kp201825

Measurement of yeast concentration in rectangular and cylindrical cuvettePeer-reviewed article

Jan ŠAVEL, Petr KOŠIN, Adam BROŽ
Budějovický Budvar, n.p., Karolíny Světlé 4, CZ-370 21 České Budějovice
Budweiser Budvar, N.C., Karolíny Světlé 4, 370 21 České Budějovice

Knowledge of yeast concentration is necessary for the pitching rate estimation. Centrifugation and turbidimetric method present rapid and easy methods for the determination of yeast concentration. There are many variants of such techniques to monitor laboratory fermentations even in test tube sizes. Procedures with and without sodium hydroxide solution were compared and evaluated. A simple calculation procedure is based on two parameters, which have to be determined for the local condition of each brewery. They cover yeast dry matter content of yeast sample and the yeast count related to 1 g completely dry yeast. It enables to calculate the probable cell count in pitched substrate, which can be used for the photometric calibration curve construction. Linear and logarithmic relation was used to express relation between yeast concentration and absorbance at 800 nm. The method based on yeast deflocculation enabled to estimate starting yeast activity.

Keywords: centrifugation, deflocullation test, photometry, pressed yeast, yeast activity, yeast concentration, yeast pitching, yeast trub

Received: May 27, 2018; Accepted: July 17, 2018; Published: October 15, 2018 

References

  1. Basařová, G., Šavel, J., Basař, P., Basařová, P., Lejsek, T., 2017: The comprehensive guide to brewing. From raw material to packaging. Fachverlag Hans Carl GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany. ISBN 978-3-418-00842-4.
  2. Kunze, W., 2004: Technology brewing and malting. 3rd ed. VLB Berlin, Germany, ISBN 3-921690-4-8.
  3. Lake, J. C., Speers, R. A., Porter, A. V., Gill, T. A., 2008: Miniaturizing the fermentation assay: Effects of fermentor size and fermentation kinetics on detection of premature yeast flocculation. J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem., 66(2): 94-102. Go to original source...
  4. MacIntosh, A. J., Adler, J., Eck, E., Speers, R. A., 2012: Suitability of the miniature fermentability method to monitor industrial fermentations. J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem., 70(3): 205-211. Go to original source...
  5. Narziss, L., 1986: Abriss der Bierbrauerei. 5th ed., Ferdinand Enke Verlag, Stuttgart. ISBN 3-432-84135-3.
  6. Palmer, F., 1969: The determination of pitching yeast concentration. Tech. Q. Master Brew Assoc. Am., 6(2): 141-145.
  7. Rainbow, C., 1968: Measurement of yeast concentration. J. Inst. Brew., 74(5), 427-429. Go to original source...
  8. Šavel, J., Prokopová, M., 1994: Sedimentační a turbidimetrické stanovení koncentrace kvasnic. Kvasny Prum. 40(1): 9-12. Go to original source...
  9. Speers, R. A., Stokes, S., 2009: Effects of vessel geometry, fermenting volume and yeast repitching on fermenting beer. J. Inst. Brew. 115(2): 148-150. Go to original source...
  10. Šruma, T., 1999: Zahušťování odpadních pivovarských kvasnic. Kvasny Prum. 45(4): 94-96. Go to original source...
  11. Upperton, A.M., 1969: A rapid spectrophotometric method for the determination of yeast concentrations. J. Inst. Brew., 75(5): 464-475. Go to original source...