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Within one minute of adding nisin to suspensions of Lactobacilli clumping of cells was observed. This happened with all the strains assayed, irrespective of their sensitivity or resistance to nisin. There was, however, no evidence of cell lysis. Two different assays for cell viability were used to show that the vast majority of cells of sensitive strains were killed within one minute of contact with nisin. The time needed to kill all the cells depended on the concentrations of both nisin and cells. One strain was more resistant and only 50-60% of the cells died within one minute of nisin addition.Using an ATP-bioluminescence assay it was shown that the addition of nisin to both Lactobacilli and Pediococci caused a rapid fall in intracellular ATP levels, which was reflected in a simultaneous appear ance of ATP in the extracellular medium. Actively growing cells lost ATP more rapidly than did those in stationary phase. The amount of intracellular ATP lost was affected both by the concentration of nisin used and the sensitivity of the bacteria. It appears that an initial effect of nisin is to make the cell membrane 'leaky' as happens with many antibiotics, yeast killer factors (zymocins), colicins. and other gram-positive bacteriocins.

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Fundamentals of Immobilised Yeast Cells for Continuous Beer Fermentation: A Review

Pilkington

Margaritis

Mensour

et al. 1998

Journal of the Institute of Brewing

116

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Recent fundamental research conducted on immobilised cells with a focus on continuous primary beer fermentation is presented in this review. The knowledge of whole-cell immobilisation, continuous fermentation, yeast biochemistry associated with beer flavour production, and bioreactor engineering design is required to apply immobilised yeast cells for industrial scale beer production. Understanding how immobilisation and continuous bioreactor operation affect yeast cell metabolism and viability will provide the groundwork for optimising beer quality. The latest studies on immobilised cell carriers, viability, vitality, mass transfer characteristics and bioreactor design indicate that an industrial scale immobilised cell system for primary beer fermentation may soon be a reality in the modern brewery.

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Correspondence

Cited by 3 publications

References 1 publication

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References

The Action of Nisin on Beer Spoilage Lactic Acid Bacteria

Fundamentals of Immobilised Yeast Cells for Continuous Beer Fermentation: A Review

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