ARS | Publication request: Fluorescence microplate readers as an alternative to flow injection analysis for determination of wort beta-glucan

Submitted to: North American Barley Research Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 18, 2008
Publication Date: October 26, 2008
Citation: Schmitt, M., Budde, A.D. Fluorescence Microplate Readers as an Alternative to Flow Injection Analysis for Determination of Wort Beta-glucan. North American Barley Research Workshop Proceedings, Poster #33, October 26-29, 2008, Madison, WI.

Technical Abstract: Wort beta-glucan concentration is a critical malting quality parameter used to identify and avoid potential brewhouse filtration problems. ASBC method Wort-18 is widely used in malt analysis laboratories and brewhouses to measure wort beta-glucan levels. However, the chemistry underlying the method is suitable for other instrumentation, such as fluorescence microplate readers. Fluorescent microplate readers are significantly less expensive than commercial FIA systems and are widely available in research laboratories. The microplate implementation of the Calcofluor/Beta-glucan method presented here is simple to execute, and offers several advantages due to its high throughput, flexibility, and low sample volume requirement. The latter consideration makes it well suited to analysis of worts from limited-availability samples, such as those from early-generation breeding lines.