The potential of confocal imaging for measuring physiological changes in brewer's yeast

Abstract

This study focused on the implementation of fluorescence optical methods and laser scanning confocal microscopy for monitoring brewing yeast performance. Physiological parameters and cell compounds in yeast cells (glycogen, neutral lipids, trehalose, bud scars, DNA and intracellular proteinases) have been successfully visualised with the aid of highly specific fluorochromes. The expression and sub cellular localisation of proteinase A during fermentation has been studied employing a Saccharomyces cerevisiae green fluorescent protein clone. This novel approach to monitoring brewing yeast performance provides new insights into physiological events that occur during wort fermentation. © 2006 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling.