Rapid Identification of Important Beer Microorganisms Using Gas Chromatography¹

1 Presented at the 44th Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, May 1978.

Abstract

To confirm the identity of certain beer spoilage organisms, metabolic end products, including volatile and nonvolatile organic acids, were extracted from a liquid culture and analyzed qualitatively using gas chromatography. The organic acid profile generated from a given culture (pure or mixed) was used in conjunction with morphological characteristics to determine the identity of the unknown organism(s). Additional biochemical testing was not necessary. Reproducibility of organic acid profiles for specific brewery organisms was excellent, and several types of liquid media, including beer, were suitable for use. The primary benefits of the technique are speed, reliability, and simplicity.

• Bacteria
• Gas chromatography