A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Utilization of Saccharomycodes ludwigii and Torulaspora delbrueckii in production of Ale-type beers with low alcoholic contents




AuthorsKelanne, Niina; Kulju, Eija; Vähäsalo, Mira; Kalpio, Marika; Yang, Baoru; Laaksonen, Oskar.

PublisherElsevier

Publication year2026

Journal: Food Bioscience

Article number108737

Volume79

ISSN2212-4292

eISSN2212-4306

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108737

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212429226005092?via%3Dihub

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/516086509

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

This study aimed to produce and investigate Ale-type barley-spelt beers with low-alcohol levels by utilizing two different non-Saccharomyces yeasts, Torulaspora delbrueckii and Saccharomycodes ludwigii, and compare them to Ale-beers fermented with commercial Ale-yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The effects of both primary and bottle fermentation on sugar utilization, ethanol yield, and volatile compound profiles were examined. Volatile compound profile and contents were determined after primary and bottle fermentations with GC-MS. Wort contained high initial levels of maltose (62.5 g/L), maltotriose (42.3 g/L), fructose (22.0 g/L), and sucrose (17.9 g/L). Fermentation with Scerevisiae resulted in extensive sugar consumption, leaving only small amounts of maltose, maltotriose and fructose. By contrast, Tdelbrueckii and Sludwigii retained most of the maltose and maltotriose, but no fructose was detected. Scerevisiae produced the highest ethanol concentrations (3.39 % v/v), whereas Tdelbrueckii and Sludwigii yielded significantly lower levels (1.24 % v/v and <1.0 % v/v, respectively). Scerevisiae increased the contents of many volatile compounds after both fermentation types, while only a few volatile compounds were detected in significant quantities in the non-Saccharomyces fermentations. Furthermore, non-Saccharomyces fermentations generated higher sulfur compound levels that could impact beer aging. In conclusion, Scerevisiae demonstrated high efficiency in sugar assimilation and ethanol formation, while Tdelbrueckii and Sludwigii showed limited fermentation performance, indicating their potential in producing low-alcohol beers with potentially distinct and milder sensory properties.


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Funding information in the publication
This research was funded by the Southwestern Finland Regional Funds of the Finnish Cultural Foundation (85222197).


Last updated on 31/03/2026 08:08:13 AM