The potential of using grapefruit peel as a natural support for yeast immobilization during beer fermentation

W. D. Estela-Escalante, J. J. Pérez-Escalante, E. L. Fuentes-Navarro, R. M. Pinillos-Miñano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The potential use of grapefruit peel as support material for yeast immobilization during beer fermentation was evaluated. After conditioning, FTIR analysis revealed a higher quantity of methoxy (-OCH3) groups, suggesting that lignin is the major component of the support. Cell adhesion onto the conditioned support in 12°Plato laboratory malt wort was evaluated, observing a maximal cell adhesion (2.25 · 109 cells/gram of dried support) at 20 h of cultivation, remaining almost constant in the subsequent time points. Evaluations of the fermentative behaviour of the biocatalyst at 15±0.5 °C in a 14 °Plato laboratory malt wort indicated good stability in terms of physical integrity (confirmed by SEM observation). The fermentation time was shortened to four days, and the rates of reducing sugar consumption and ethanol production were improved when compared to fermentations carried out with free suspended cells. These results show a promising potential of grapefruit peel as support material in beer fermentation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)105-114
Number of pages10
JournalChemical and Biochemical Engineering Quarterly
Volume34
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Assoc. of Chemists and Chemical Engineers of Croatia. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Alcoholic fermentation
  • Cell immobilization
  • FTIR
  • Grapefruit peel
  • Natural supports

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