Flow cytometry for age assessment of a yeast population and its application in beer fermentations

Abstract

An expeditious method of yeast age estimation was developed based on selective bud scar staining (Alexa Fluor 488-labelled wheat-germ agglutinin) and subsequent fluorescence intensity measurement by flow cytometry. The calibration curve resulting from the cytometric determination of average bud scar fluorescence intensities vs. microscopically counted average bud scar numbers of the same cell populations showed a good correlation and allowed routine cell age estimation by flow cytometry. The developed method was applied for yeast age control in traditional batch and continuous beer fermentations. At the pitching rates used in industrial beer fermentations, our results support former findings by locating a gradient of increasing yeast age from the top to the bottom zone of the fermenter cone. The results also indicate that in continuous beer fermentation, the increasing bud scar fluorescence of immobilized cells could help to schedule the replacement of aged biomass, prior to loss of viability or deterioration of process performance and product quality. © 2009 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling.