Detection of Pediococcus spp. in brewing yeast by a rapid immunoassay. |
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Authors: | M Whiting M Crichlow W M Ingledew B Ziola |
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Institution: | Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. |
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Abstract: | A membrane immunofluorescent-antibody test was developed to detect diacetyl-producing Pediococcus contaminants in brewery pitching yeast (yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae] slurry collected for reinoculation). Centrifugations at 11 and 5,100 x g separate yeast cells from bacteria and concentrate the bacteria, respectively. Pelleted bacteria resuspended and trapped on a black membrane filter are reacted with monoclonal antibodies specific for cell surface antigens and then with fluorescein-conjugated indicator antibodies. Whether pitching yeast is contaminated with pediococci at 0.001% is determined in less than 4 h. The sensitivity of the assay is 2 orders of magnitude below the Pediococcus detection limit of direct microscopy. |
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