High-throughput β-glucan analyses and their relationship with beer filterability

Beer filterability is strongly related to the amount and molar mass distribution of β-glucan. Different commercial quantification methods yield different β-glucan concentrations and beer filterability. In order to acquire detailed information on the measureable molar mass and its impact on beer filtration, six high-throughput methods were developed and analysed. These methods involve three calibration standards (Skandinavisk Bryggeri Laboratorium standard, SBL; Megazyme standard for continuous flow analyser, CFA; and 650 kDa standard) and two dyes (Calcofluor and Congo red). Significant correlation was observed between cellulose nitrate membrane filtration and fluorometrically determined β-glucan content (SBL calibration: r = 0.604, P