Estimation of Alginate, Carrageenan and Furcellaran in Beer

Abstract

Quantitative and semi-quantitative methods are given for estimating alginate, carrageenan and furcellaran at low concentrations in beer. A number of commercial beers and experimental beers known to have been brewed with either copper finings or auxiliary finings containing these acidic polysaccharides as active ingredients were analysed for alginate, carrageenan and furcellaran residues. The results show that alginate and carrageenan do not occur in finished beers at levels greater than 1 mg/litre. Using a serological technique which is more sensitive for furcellaran, it was found that levels of furcellaran in most finished beers were below 0 5 mg/litre, though a few beers contained this polysaccharide at about 0-5 mg/litre.