Equipment Capabilities
The Fermented Beverages Laboratory is located at the Cal Poly SLO campus in the food processing building (24) in room 106J. It is currently used by graduate and undergraduate students to conduct and assist in research related to fermented beverages. This laboratory was funded by a variety of grants, including the California State University Agricultural Research Institute (CSU-ARI), the Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities Grant Program (RSCA), and the USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture.
Fermented Beverage Analysis
Anton Paar Alcolyzer ME Measuring Module
The Anton Paar Alcolyzer ME is based on a patented NIR analysis method that measures alcohol content of fermented beverages with high accuracy. In addition to alcohol content, the system can measure apparent degree of fermentation, apparent extract, real extract, original gravity, original extract, and real degree of fermentation.
Anton Paar Lyza 5000
Anton Paar Lyza 5000 is a novel multiparameter FTIR measuring system used for wine analysis during all stages of the wine making process. Lyza 5000 can fit up to 48 samples in a row for quick and efficient readings. Each result takes less than one minute and includes at least 15 parameters such as ethanol, sugars, and acid profile. Anton Paar Lyza can be used in conjunction with the Anton Paar Alcolyzer ME.
The following table shows all measurement capabilities of the Lyza 5000.
| general fermented beverages | wine |
|---|---|
| Ethanol | Ethanol |
| Glucose | Glucose |
| Fructose | Fructose |
| Titratable acidity | Sucrose |
| Volatile acids | Titratable acidity |
| Malic acid | Volatile acids |
| Tartaric acid | Malic acid |
| Lactic acid | Tartaric acid |
| pH | Lactic acid |
| Density | Gluconic acid |
| Must weight | pH |
| Extract | Density |
| Glycerol | Must weight |
| Yeast assimilable | Extract |
| Glycerol | |
| Total polyphenols |
CDR Beer Lab
The CDR Beer Lab is a pre-calibrated photometer that uses LED technology and pre-filled reagent kits to make testing wine, beer, cider, and water an easier process. The sample is added to a cuvette with a pre-filled reagent and then analyzed for the desired results. Some of the advantages of using the CDR Beer Lab system are reduced testing times, simplicity, high sensitivity and reliability, and minimal preparation of samples. The CDR Beer Lab can analyze all the following parameters:
| Beer/wort | Water | wine | cider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic acid | Calcium | Acetaldehyde | Acetic acid |
| Bitterness (IBU) | Magnesium | Acetic acid | L-Malic acid |
| Total lactic acid | Bicarbonate | Alcohol | Free SO2 |
| Fermentable sugars | Chloride | Anthocyanins | Total SO2 |
| Starch | Potassium | Color | L-Lactic acid |
| Alcohol | Sulfate | Fermentable sugars | Fermentable sugars |
| Total SO2 | Zinc | Free SO2 | pH |
| pH | Total SO2 | Total acidity | |
| Color | Gluconic Acid | Alcohol by volume | |
| Free amino nitrogen | Glycerol | YAN | |
| VDKs | L-Lactic acid | Glycerol | |
| Yeast Vitality | L-Malic acid | Total polyphenol index | |
| pH | |||
| Total acidity | |||
| Total polyphenols | |||
| Total polyphenols index | |||
| YAN |
Yeast Counter
The Cellometer X2 is an image cytometer for cell counting and analysis. It can count brewing yeast, wine yeast, platelets, and other small cells. The Cellometer stains the live and dead cells in the samples and only requires a small sample size to get accurate results. It will accurately count all cells even if there are clumps or debris. Cell images, size measurements, and viability can be delivered in less than a minute. In addition, the cell counting chambers are disposable, so they do not have to be washed after every use.
