FRACTIONATION OF HIGH AND LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT COMPONENTS FROM WORT AND BEER BY ADSORPTION CHROMATOGRAPHY USING THE GEL SEPHADEX LH20

Abstract
Column chromatography using the hydroxypropylated dextran gel Sephadex LH20 was used to fractionate the components of brewers' wort and beer. The elution profile of beer was investigated in detail and components identified. Fractions containing high molecular weight polypeptide material, small peptide material, free proline, phenylalanine, tyrosine and adenosine have been identified. These fractions are common to all beers investigated. This use of LH20 provides a simple and rapid technique for monitoring high and low molecular weight materials in beer production and may be used in diagnosis of beer problems. An example of the application of the LH20 elution profile to the analysis of an out of specification beer is described.