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




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

PublisherElsevier

2026

 Food Bioscience

108737

79

2212-4292

2212-4306

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

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

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/516086509



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.


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