Malt-induced premature yeast flocculation: Current perspectives

Panteloglou, Apostolos G.; Smart, Katherine A.; Cook, David J.

Abstract

Premature yeast flocculation (PYF) is a sporadic problem for the malting and brewing industries which can have significant financial and logistical implications. The condition is characterised by abnormally heavy (and sometimes early) flocculation of yeast during brewery fermentations. The resulting low suspended yeast cell counts towards the end of the fermentation can result in flavour defects and incomplete attenuation (fermentation of sugars to alcohol). Despite several decades of research into the phenomenon, its precise nature and mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In part this is because the term PYF has become a 'catch-all' syndrome which can have multiple origins. Furthermore, there are complex interactions in the malting and brewing processes which together mean that the PYF status of a malt sample is hard to predict at a generic level. Whether or not PYF is observed depends not only on barley quality, but on process factors in the maltings and to a substantial extent on the brewing yeast strain concerned. This article highlights the significance of PYF, and reviews current knowledge relating to the origins of this complex phenomenon. © Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology 2012.

Citation

Panteloglou, A. G., Smart, K. A., & Cook, D. J. (2012). Malt-induced premature yeast flocculation: Current perspectives. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, 39(6), 813-822. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-012-1086-0

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jan 7, 2012
• Online Publication Date: Jun 1, 2012
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Jul 24, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
• Print ISSN: 1367-5435
• Electronic ISSN: 1476-5535
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 813-822
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-012-1086-0
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/23220915
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/jimb/article/39/6/813/5994482?login=false