Targeted healthy compounds in small and large-scale brewed beers.

The determination of targeted healthy compounds in the most popular small and large-scale brewed beer sold in Italy was carried out. Nitrogen compounds, fermentable sugars, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, ß-glucans, pyridoxine, folates and silicon were quantified. Further, amine content was determined since raw materials and brewing technology can affect their level. Significantly higher values for total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, nitrogen, folate and putrescine content were found for small scale beers. However, the statistical results were affected by the different beer styles in the small scale and large scale brewed beer groups, since the content of these components can vary between beer styles. Positive Pearson correlation was found between total phenolic content and EBC colour. Wide variations in pyridoxine, ß-glucans and fermentable sugars levels were observed both for small and large scale beers, while average silicon content of two groups was similar.

Consumer interest in specialty beers in three European markets.

This study explores the quality perception of specialty beers (SBs) in Italy, Spain and Poland. Five-hundred and fifty mainstream beer consumers were enrolled in this study (two-hundred and thirty Italians, one hundred and sixty Poles and Spaniards respectively). The authors adopted a conjoint rating experiment in which the respondents were given forty SB profiles to evaluate. Each profile was described on six attributes (malt type, adjuncts, alternative source of sugars, characterizing ingredients, sensory characteristics, and retail price) varied at different levels and were asked to state his/her preference for each profile on a 9-point scale of interest. The results of this study showed that the ideal SB: (1) for the aggregate Polish panel is brewed from malted wheat, raw wheat, honey, and tropical fruits, is alcoholic and is priced below 2.00 Euros; (2) for the aggregate Italian panel consists of a beer brewed from malted wheat, maize, honey, and vanilla, is blonde and costs a maximum of 2.00 Euros; (3) for the aggregate Spanish panel is brewed from malted wheat, rye or maize, vanilla, is fruity and is priced below 2.00 Euros. The heterogeneity of interest in specialty beers observed in the three countries under test requires for the adaptation of a SB specifically to each culture in which it is sold. In this process of customization, brewers must take into account that gender modulates the effect of culture on consumer interest in SB sensory characteristics and ingredient formulation.

Transfer of aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 from naturally contaminated raw materials to beer during an industrial brewing process.

The aim of this research was to determine the fate of aflatoxins (AFs) and fumonisins (FBs) naturally occurring in raw materials (maize grit and malted barley) during four industrial brewing processes. The aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) level in raw materials varied from 0.31 to 14.85 microg kg(-1), while the fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) level (only in maize grit) varied from 1146 to 3194 microg kg(-1). The concentration in finished beer ranged from 0.0015 to 0.022 microg l(-1) for AFB(1) and from 37 to 89 microg l(-1) for FB(1); the other aflatoxins and fumonisin B(2) were not found in beer samples. The average percentage of toxins recovered in finished beer, referring to the amounts contained in raw materials, were 1.5% +/- 0.8% for AFB(1) and 50.7% +/- 4.7% for FB(1). These results were mainly due to the different solubility of the two mycotoxins during the mashing process. If raw materials comply with the limits fixed by European Commission Regulations, the contribution of a moderate daily consumption of beer to AFB(1) and FB(1) intake does not contribute significantly to the exposure of the consumer.