Capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection for studying amino acid uptake by yeast during beer fermentation

The amino acid composition of cultivation broth is known to affect the biomass accumulation, productivity, and vitality of yeast during cultivation. A separation method based on capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection was developed for the determination of amino acid consumption by Saccharomyces cerevisiae during beer fermentation. Intraday relative standard deviations were less than 2.1% for migration times and between 2.9% and 9.9% for peak areas. Interday relative standard deviations were less than 2.5% for migration times and between 4.4% and 18.9% for peak areas. The quantification limit was even as low as 62.5pM which equals to below attomole level detection. The method was applied to study the rate of amino acid utilization during beer fermentation. [Display omitted] •Capillary electrophoresis was used for the analysis of amino acids in beer fermentation.•Amino acids are important nitrogen sources for yeast growth.•Yeast reduced the concentrations of amino acids during beer fermentation.