Four bacteria that will ruin your beer (and a new, affordable detection tool)

Early detection of bacteria is the best method to avoid beer and beverage spoilage. Detecting these bacteria in yeast stocks or in brewing equipment is the fastest and easiest way to avoid a problem.

Hop-resistant spoilage bacteria: Lactobacillus and Pediococcus species

Hop resistant genes horA and horC, when found in the species lactobacillus and pediococcus, enable these lactic acid producing bacteria to grow in beer. This results in beer with bitter and unpleasant flavors.

Pectinatus

Pectinatus bacteria cause beer spoilage by producing off flavors and turbidity. Detection of these bacteria is currently carried out using conventional microbiology. However, this is complicated by the strict anaerobic conditions and lengthy incubation times required for their cultivation. Consequently, there is a need for rapid detection methods.

Pediococcus

Pediococcus is a very common spoilage bacteria often considered one of the most difficult types of bacteria to remove from an infected brewery. Pediococcus cause high acidity, buttery aroma and inhibit yeast growth, which results in decreased fermentation rates.

RELATED: Biochemists solve terminal acid shock problem in sour beers

The solution

The genesig q16 from D.I. Engineering Corp. is a new spoilage, bacteria, DNA detection, compact real-time PCR system for the beer industry. It is getting a lot of attention because of its detection capability and fast response time. Now a newly affordable solution for beer spoilage screening is also available. The kits are as follows:

• genesig Easy kit for hop resistant Lactobacillus and Pediococcus species
• genesig Easy kit for Pediococcus genus
• genesig Easy kit for Lactobacillus genus
• genesig Easy kit for Pectinatus genus

The genesig q16, along with D.I. Engineering Corp.’s Lab-in-a-box and EASY DNA extraction kit provides a cost effective solution for a beer/beverage company of any size, and it is sensitive enough to detect less than 10 bacteria. The genesig q16 and kits have been evaluated by Campden BRI — the UK’s largest independent organization and validation body supporting the food and drinks industry worldwide.

For those interested in genesig q16 and beer spoilage kits, please contact D.I. Engineering Corp. at 1-303-231-0045 or visit their website.