Product category:
Materials Testing
News Release from: Metrohm UK | Subject: Anions in Beer
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 October 2006
Beer anions quantified for quality
control
The majority of anions found in beer are a consequence of the water (contains chloride, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, fluoride) used during the brewing process.
The majority of anions found in beer are a consequence of the water (contains chloride, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, fluoride) used during the brewing process Monitoring the anion profile is an important quality control step in the brewing industry because anions can affect the flavour of the finished product
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 9 Jun 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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The majority of anions found in beer are a consequence of water used during the brewing process and strict quality control is required as their presence affects the flavour of the finished product.
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If the level of chloride is above 250 mg/L, then the sweetness of the beer is enhanced but it can hinder yeast flocculation, so it needs to be carefully observed.
An excess of sulfate has been found to give a sharp, dry edge to well hopped beers and so the level present should be minimized as much as possible bearing in mind that sulfate occurs naturally in water.
Phosphate is present in the malt and buffers the mash to a slightly acidic pH.
Further reading
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It is impoirtant to determine the presence of water in machinery lubricating oils, which is why Metrohm is offering its 831 KF Coulometer to give reliable results over a long period.
Metrohm electrodes - free storage DVD offered
Metrohm UK advised that companies ordering a new Metrohm electrode now will receive a free storage and maintenance DVD - offer expires on March 31, 2008.
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Automated on-line analysis system performs all liquid handling steps such as taking sample aliquots, dosing of reagents, titration and cleaning.
Quantifying the level of nitrate is important as excessive amounts can hamper the fermentation process after conversion to nitrite.
The finished beer product and intermediates used throughout (such as the brewing water) can easily be determined using ion chromatography to ensure manufacturing authenticity.
Analysis of beer by ion chromatography Metrohm's well known MIC-2 Advanced modular anion system with chemical suppression is used for the analysis of beer.
In the method described herein, light beer wort is being analyzed for the determination of fluoride, chloride, phosphate and sulfate contents.
Simple sample preparation steps and the need of only small amounts of samples are the major advantages of ion chromatography as an analytical technique: dilution is the only sample preparing step required.
Dilution and moreover the whole beer analysis can easily be automated using the 838 Advanced IC Dilution Sample Processor.
Detection is performed with the high-performance 819 IC Detector (conductivity detector) after chemical suppression with Metrohm's built-in Suppressor Module (MSM).
The MSM with its independent three micro-bed packed suppressor is very important for reproducibility.
A fresh suppressor channel is used each time for analysis ensuring that the cation exchanger is operating at full capacity.
The remaining two channels are either regenerated or rinsed.
MIC-2 Advanced - Modular anion system with chemical suppression Modular IC system for the determination of anions with chemical suppression.
High-performance pump and detector, Metrohm Suppressor Module As the sensitivity of the system can be increased by using chemical suppression for anions (in contrast to cations), this system additionally contains the The 833 IC Liquid Handling Pump Unit is used for regeneration and rinsing.
The 820 Separation Center is equipped with a column oven which lowers the detection limits even further, particularly when working with a high background conductivity.
It goes without saying that cations can also be determined with this system.
In this case the suppressor and pump unit are simply switched off.
After the column and eluent have been changed the cation system is ready for use.
The system is completely made of PEEK: pump head, valve, pulsation absorber, The maximum pressure at which such a system can be operated is 30 MPa (4351 psi).
Simple automation with the 838 Advanced IC Sample Processor can be carried out directly and without additional cables.
Request a free brochure from Metrohm UK ...
If the 833 IC Liquid Handling Pump Unit is also to be remotely controlled by the sample changer then a cable and an adapter are additionally required.
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