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​​Analysis of Beer Volatiles Using Floating Solid-Phase Microextraction: Collaboration of Microbreweries with Local Universities​

Lindsey Coonen, Anthony Gajeski, Anna Meier, Samantha Reiter, and Scott C. Bailey-Hartsel. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI 54702, U.S.A.

 

Abstract
Knowledge of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in the headspace of a beer can be very useful in the development of new beers and assessing quality control/quality assurance between batches. Unfortunately, obtaining that sort of information usually requires trained personnel and expensive instrumentation, but we have developed a program at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire that can provide this service as part of coursework that is not brewing science related. In this paper we report on a simple method for sampling and analysis of VOCs using floating solid-phase microextraction (FSPME) and routine gas chromatography/mass spectral analysis. We find that FSPME captures all headspace VOCs as well as less volatile but significant phenolic off-flavor compounds. FSPME is generally superior to conventional headspace SPME as well as being simpler. We have successfully collaborated with local microbrewers on a variety of projects using undergraduate student researchers and instrumentation commonly available in most universities.

Keywords: ​PCA, outreach, GC/MS, SPME, VOC