JPH09173045A - Beer clarifying agent and clarification of beer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a beer clarifying agent that is to be added to fermented liquid in a beer maturing process, and contains a specific silica sol and which has no physiological effect on yeast, gives a high dreg settlement rate, causes low environmental contamination, and has excellent economical effects. SOLUTION: This beer clarifying agent to be added to a fermented liquid in a beer maturing process contains silica sol whose particle diameter distribution curve has two or more different peaks in the relationships of 20nm<=D1 <=40 nm and 150nm<=D2 <=600nm where D1 and D2 are particle diameters that give two peaks. It is preferable that the particle size distribution curve of colloidal particles in the silica sol has two peaks.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for clarifying beer fermented liquor during an aging process after the main fermentation process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Beer fermented liquor, which has undergone main fermentation, contains turbid components such as protein components, and the turbid components are removed by filtration after the completion of the aging process to obtain product beer. These turbid components are suspended in the beer fermentation liquor at the end of the main fermentation, which causes clogging of the filter and reduces the filterability, and sometimes even makes filtration difficult.

Therefore, in order to prevent such a problem at the time of filtration, conventionally, the filterability has been improved by using a large amount of diatomaceous earth as a filter aid. On the other hand, by adding silica sol or the like during the aging step to perform "clarification" to remove turbid components in advance, it is possible to reduce the load of filtration.

This latter clarification is called "orientation" in the production of general fermented liquid foods, and is usually performed. The method is disclosed, for example, in JP-A-60-2.
7376 and JP-A-3-216179. Among these, JP-A-3-216179 proposes to use a silica sol composed of colloidal particles having at least two different particle size distributions as an anti-settling agent for various fermented liquid foods.

However, since the turbidity components may differ depending on the type of fermented food, the most effective clarification (lowering of the slag)
The methods can be different. From such a viewpoint, a clarification method for each application, for example, a method for sake (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-71).
No. 883), and a method for mirin (JP-A-2-268678).
No.) etc. have also been proposed.

Particularly, in brewing beer, when clarification is carried out during the ripening step, it is essential that the yeast physiology is not affected, and effective clarifiers for other foods are often not used as they are. This is disclosed in JP-A-58
No. 193685 specification.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fining technique which is optimal for beer. More specifically, it is to provide a clarification technology capable of rapidly clarifying and improving filterability without lowering the characteristics such as flavor and foam retention of the product beer at all. .

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

[Summary of the Invention] <Summary> The fining agent for beer according to the present invention is a fining agent containing silica sol, which is added to the fermentation liquid in the beer aging step, and has a particle size distribution curve of colloidal particles of the silica sol. It has two or more different peaks, two of which
When the particle diameters giving two peaks are D ₁ and D ₂ , 2
0 nm ≦ D ₁ ≦ 40 nm, 150 nm ≦ D ₂ ≦ 600 n
m.

The method for clarifying beer according to the present invention comprises adding a fining agent containing silica sol to the fermentation liquor in the beer aging step, and the silica sol has two particle size distribution curves of colloidal particles. When the particle diameters having the above different peaks and giving two peaks among them are D ₁ and D ₂ , 20 nm ≦ D ₁ ≦ 40 nm, 1
50 nm ≦ D ₂ ≦ 600 nm, and this clarifying agent is added in an amount of 20 to 500 ppm in terms of dry matter.

<Effect> When the fining agent for beer according to the present invention is used for clarification of beer, large aggregates are formed in a short time, as a result of which the rate of lowering the sediment is fast and the sedimentation volume of the sedimented aggregates is small. In addition, no effect on yeast physiology, which significantly affects the quality of beer, was observed. Further, the amount of diatomaceous earth used as a filter aid can be reduced, which is environmentally and economically advantageous.

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 216179 proposes to use silica sol having at least two different particle size distributions as an orienting agent for various fermented liquid foods including beer. In that publication, the silica sol used has a particle size distribution of at least two or more different silica sol colloidal particle groups, and when the minimum peak value of the particle size is D ₁ , 3 nm ≦ D ₁ ≦ 30 nm is preferable, If it is larger than that, the tilt lowering speed becomes slow, which is not preferable.

However, the inventors of the present invention have made diligent studies and found that there is a silica sol which is superior to the silica sol of the above invention when clarification is performed on a beer fermentation liquid. That is, when the colloidal particles have a particle size distribution curve having two or more different peaks, and the particle sizes giving two peaks are D ₁ and D ₂ , respectively, 20 nm ≤ D ₁ ≤ 40 nm, 150 nm ≤ D _It was found that by using a silica sol having a particle size of ₂ ≤ 600 nm for a beer fermentation liquid, the clarification effect was stronger, that is, the filterability of beer was significantly improved and the characteristics of beer were not impaired. The present invention is based on this finding.

The silica sol of the present invention has at least two peaks in its particle size distribution curve. Among them, the silica colloidal particles which give the peaks on the small particle size side have a strong action of aggregating protein turbid substances, and have a large particle size. It seems that the silica colloidal particle group that gives a peak on the diameter side functions to further aggregate the aggregated protein-turbid substances.
As a result, it is considered that large aggregates are generated in a short time, and as a result, the lowering rate of the sediment becomes faster and the sedimentation volume of the sedimented aggregates becomes smaller. It is understood that the protein that causes turbidity in the fermented liquid food varies depending on the intended food, that is, the raw material, and is optimal in the case of beer when the particle size distribution is as described above. In fact, JP-A-3-21
No. 6179 does not mention beer as a target of Examples, and the particle size giving a peak on the large particle size side is 45 nm at the maximum, which gives the peak on the large particle side required by the present invention. Remarkably smaller than the particle size.

Further, when the fining agent containing the silica sol of the present invention is used, there is no effect on the yeast physiology which greatly affects the quality of beer. Therefore, the quality of the beer obtained is exactly the same as the conventional beer produced without using the fining agent of the present invention. The colloidal particles of the silica sol of the present invention have the specific particle size distribution as described above. Here, D ₁ is 20 nm ≦ D ₁ ≦ 40n
m. When D ₁ is 20 nm or less, the action of aggregating the protein turbid substance is strong, but the size of the agglomerate is small, the reaction with the large silica particles (D ₂ ) is difficult to occur, and the residue remains. If D ₁ is 40 nm or more, the action of agglomerating the sediment is weak and it is difficult to form aggregates completely, and the fining effect becomes small.

On the other hand, D ₂ is 150 nm ≦ D ₂ ≦ 600n
m. When D ₂ is 150 nm or less, the size of the final aggregate is small, and as a result, the slow down rate is slow. Further, when D ₂ is 600 nm or more, the self-weight of the silica particles is too large and the silica particles settle before reacting with the protein turbidity substance, making it difficult to form large aggregates, and as a result, the slow down rate becomes slow. .

The particle size referred to in the present invention is a spherical equivalent particle size. Even if the particles are not perfectly spherical, the diameter of the sphere having the same volume as that of the particles is expressed as the particle diameter. There are various methods for measuring such a particle diameter, and examples thereof include a dynamic light scattering method. Specifically, it is measured by Pacific Scientific NICOMP Model 370 Submicron Particle Sizer.

The silica sol used in the present invention is a plurality of types, preferably two types, of silica sols having different particle size distributions of colloidal particles, which are generally used as an orienting agent.
It can be prepared by combining them. The particle size of the colloidal particles of the silica sol to be combined is arbitrary, and any silica sol may be combined as long as the particle size distribution of the colloidal particles of the silica sol obtained by the combination has the particle size distribution as described above.

The clarifying agent according to the present invention comprises a silica sol composed of colloidal particles having the above-mentioned specific particle size distribution curve, but contains any additive within the range not impairing the effects of the present invention. But it's okay. For example, when the silica sol contains silica particles having a particle size of more than 70 nm, it has a property of gradually solidifying, but a stabilizer or the like for stabilizing it may be added.

Clarification of beer by the addition of the fining agent according to the present invention may be carried out at any stage in the beer production process before the filtration process. In the production of beer, generally, two fermentation steps, a main fermentation step and a ripening step (post-fermentation), are included. For example, the fining agent according to the present invention is added at any point during the aging step, and filtration is performed as usual. Should be done. However, considering the ease of work and the magnitude of the effect, it is desirable to add a fining agent when transferring from the main fermentation tank to the post-fermentation tank and perform the usual aging step.

The clarifying agent of the present invention is 20 pp in terms of dry matter.
The effect of the present invention can be obtained by adding more than m. But,
If it is added in an amount of 500 ppm or more, beer is taken into the agglomerate to cause defects and the cost of the fining agent itself is too high, which is not desirable from an economical viewpoint. From the viewpoint of both effect and economy, it is most preferable to add 30 to 200 ppm.

After the clarification according to the present invention, beer is filtered using a filter, optionally together with a filter aid such as diatomaceous earth. At this time, the whole fermentation broth containing the precipitate may be filtered, or only the supernatant may be filtered, but the latter is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the load of filtration.

When the fining agent according to the present invention is used, even if the amount of diatomaceous earth used as a filter aid is reduced to 50% or less of the usual level, it is possible to carry out filtration as usual. The diatomaceous earth used as a filter aid is treated as industrial waste after use, and reducing the amount of diatomaceous earth to be used is advantageous from the viewpoint of social environment protection and economical efficiency. It is very preferable.

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Examples Preparation Example 1 23 g of 40% silica sol (Cataloid SI-40 manufactured by Catalysts & Chemicals Industry Co., Ltd., average particle diameter 18nm) and 17% silica dispersion of silica colloidal particles (Spherica Slurry 160, manufactured by Catalysts & Chemicals Industry Co., Ltd.). , Average particle size 160n
m) 35 g were mixed to prepare a clarifying silica sol (L). The particle size distribution of this clarifying silica sol (L)
Pacific Scientific NICOMP Model 370 Submicro
When measured using n Particle Sizer, the particle size distribution curve shows two peaks, and the peak on the small particle size side (D
₁ ) is 23 nm, and the peak (D ₂ ) on the large particle size side is 190
nm.

Preparation Example 2 25 g of 48% silica sol (Cataloid SI-50 manufactured by Catalysts & Chemicals Industry Co., Ltd., average particle size 25nm) and 17% silica dispersion of silica colloid particles (Spherica Slurry 120 manufactured by Catalysts & Chemicals Industry Co., Ltd., average) Particle size 120nm)
Clarifying silica sol (M) was prepared by mixing with 50 g. When the particle size distribution of this clarification silica sol (M) was measured in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1, the particle size distribution curve showed two peaks, and the peak (D ₁ ) on the small particle size side was 30 nm.
The peak (D ₂ ) on the large particle size side was 155 nm.

Preparation Example 3 30% silica sol (FC-20 manufactured by Catalyst Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
0 super, average particle size 21nm) 50g and 18% silica dispersion of silica colloid particles (Spherica Slurry 160 manufactured by Catalysts & Chemicals Co., Ltd., average particle size 165nm)
Clarifying silica sol (N) was prepared by mixing with 50 g. When the particle size distribution of this clarifying silica sol (N) was measured in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1, the particle system distribution curve showed two peaks, and the peak (D ₁ ) on the small particle size side was 31 nm.
The peak (D ₂ ) on the large particle size side was 196 nm.

Preparation Example 4 30% silica sol (FC-20 manufactured by Catalyst Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
0 super, average particle diameter 19 nm) 30 g and 18% silica dispersion of silica colloid particles (Spherica Slurry 550 manufactured by Catalyst Kasei Co., Ltd., average particle diameter 550 nm)
Clarifying silica sol (O) was prepared by mixing with 50 g. The particle size distribution of this clarification silica sol (O) was measured in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1. The particle system distribution curve showed two peaks, and the peak (D ₁ ) on the small particle size side was 27 nm.
The peak (D ₂ ) on the large particle size side was 588 nm.

Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2 The beer fermented liquor which has been subjected to the aging process as usual is 10
The silica sol prepared in Preparation Examples 1 to 4 was added as a clarifying agent in an amount shown in Table 1 with stirring at 0 rpm, and the mixture was allowed to stand at that temperature for 4 days to evaluate the filterability of the supernatant. The filterability was evaluated by performing filtration with a membrane filter having a pore size of 0.45 μm under a pressure of 1 kg / cm ² , and measuring the amount of filtration using the Esser method (KD; Monats).
schrift fuer Brauerei, 25 (6) 145 (1972)) and Vmax was calculated and compared. The obtained results are as shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Example Silica sol used D ₁ (nm) D ₂ (nm) Addition amount (ppm) Vmax (hl / m ² ) Example 1 L 23 190 180 180 5.0 Example 2 M 30 155 180 3.5 3.5 Example 3 N 31 196 180 180 4.2 Example 4 O 27 588 180 180 3.4 Comparative Example 1 Unused ---- 0. 9 Comparative Example 2 FC-200 Super 10 40 180 2.6 (commercially available product)

From the comparison of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the effect of clarification by using silica sol can be seen. In Examples 1 to 4 using the clarifying agent according to the present invention, a comparison was made using silica sol other than the present invention as a clarifying agent. It can be seen that a clarification effect far superior to that of Example 2 appears. The silica sol used in Comparative Example 2 was the same as that described in JP-A-3-21.
It falls within the range of 6179, and from these results, it is understood that the fining agent using the specific silica sol of the present invention exerts a remarkably strong effect when applied to the production of beer.

Example 5, Comparative Examples 3 to 4 When the young beer that has undergone the main fermentation in the pilot plant (2 kl scale) is transferred from the main fermentation tank to the post-fermentation tank, the fining agent of the present invention (silica sol included) D ₁ = 3
3 nm, D ₂ = 165 nm) 180 pp in terms of dry matter
After adding m and stirring well with beer, it was aged in a post-fermentation tank by a usual method. In the comparative example, no silica sol was added.

After completion of the aging, the filtration area is 0.2
Filtration was carried out at 2 ° C. for 4 hours with a diatomaceous earth filter having m ² and a filtration flow rate of 500 liters / m ² / hr. At the time of filtration, the amount of the filter aid (diatomaceous earth) was changed and filtration was performed with a diatomaceous earth filter.
The filterability was as shown in Table 2. The amount of body feed filter aid used should be 1
It was shown as 00%.

Table 2 Amount of filter aid Increase in differential pressure of beer before filtration Turbidity (%) (Vmax hl / m ² ) (kg / cm ² / hr) (ppm) Example 5 35 4.3 0.08 0.2 Comparative Example 3 35 1.4 0.85 0.3 4 100 1.4 0.10 0.2

If the fining agent of the present invention is not added, the pressure difference rises too much when the amount of the filter aid is 35%, but in the case of Example 5 in which the fining agent of the present invention was added, the amount of the filter aid was changed. Even if it was reduced, the filtration was possible just like the normal filtration.

The beer produced in Example 5 was subjected to total nitrogen content, total polyphenol content, formula, foam amount, foam retention time, turbidity on the day, turbidity at 50 ° C. for 2 weeks, turbidity after storage at 50 ° C. for 2 weeks. After storage, cold turbidity, SiO ₂ content and flavor were compared with the beer of Comparative Example 3, but they were exactly the same.

Example 6 and Comparative Examples 5 to 7 The same tests as in Example 5 were carried out except that the amount of the silica sol as the fining agent used was changed to 36 ppm. In Comparative Examples 5 and 6, FC-200 supermarket is used as Example 6 in terms of dry matter.
Comparative Example 7 was added in the same amount as above, but was not added in Comparative Example 7.

Table 3 Amount of filter aid Increase in differential pressure of beer before filtration Turbidity (%) (Vmax hl / m ² ) (kg / cm ² / hr) (ppm) Example 6 60 2.1 0.12 0.2 Comparative example 5 60 1.0 0.22 0.6 Comparative example 6 100 1.0 0.14 0.3 Comparative example 7 100 1.2 0.12 0 .2

In Example 6, although the amount of the silica sol as the fining agent was reduced to 36 ppm, the amount of the filter aid was 40%.
Normal filtration was possible even with a% reduction. on the other hand,
In Comparative Examples 5 and 6, although silica sol was added,
The effect was small.

The beer produced in this Example 6 was subjected to total nitrogen content, total polyphenol content, chromaticity, foam content, foam retention time, turbidity on the day, turbidity after storage at 50 ° C. for 2 weeks, turbidity after storage at 50 ° C. for 2 weeks. After storage, cold turbidity, SiO ₂ content and flavor were compared with the beer of Comparative Example 7, but they were exactly the same.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION When the fining agent for beer of the present invention is used for clarification of beer, the rate of lowering the dough is fast, and there is no effect on yeast physiology that greatly affects the quality of beer. As described above.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Hiroyasu Nishida Inventor 13-2 Kitaminato-cho, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture Catalytic Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd. Wakamatsu Plant (72) Inventor Nakai Kita-Kita, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 13-2 Minatomachi Catalyst Wakamatsu Factory of Kasei Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A fining agent containing silica sol, which is added to a fermentation liquor in a beer aging step, wherein the particle size distribution curve of colloidal particles of the silica sol has two or more different peaks, two of which are different. When the particle diameters giving two peaks are D ₁ and D ₂ , 20 nm ≦ D ₁ ≦ 40 nm, 1
A fining agent for beer, characterized in that 50 nm ≦ D ₂ ≦ 600 nm. 2. The refining agent for beer according to claim 1, wherein the colloidal particles of the silica sol contained have two peaks in the particle size distribution curve. 3. A refining agent containing silica sol is added to the fermentation liquor in the beer aging step, and the particle size distribution curve of the colloidal particles of the silica sol has two or more different peaks, of which 2 When the particle diameters giving two peaks are D ₁ and D ₂ , 20 nm ≦ D ₁ ≦ 40n
m, 150 nm ≦ D ₂ ≦ 600 nm, and adding 20 to 500 ppm of this fining agent in terms of dry matter, a method for clarifying beer.