The Effect of High Pressure on <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> in Beer—Inactivation and Sublethal Injury

Beer, with its low pH, presence of hop acids, alcohol content, and limited nutrient availability, presents a hostile environment for most bacteria. However, <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> remains a significant spoilage organism in the brewing industry. This study examines the impact of...

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Main Authors: Justyna Nasiłowska, Barbara Sokołowska, Marzena Woszczyk, Joanna Bucka-Kolendo, Adrian Wojtczak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Beverages
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/3/83
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author Justyna Nasiłowska
Barbara Sokołowska
Marzena Woszczyk
Joanna Bucka-Kolendo
Adrian Wojtczak
author_facet Justyna Nasiłowska
Barbara Sokołowska
Marzena Woszczyk
Joanna Bucka-Kolendo
Adrian Wojtczak
author_sort Justyna Nasiłowska
collection DOAJ
description Beer, with its low pH, presence of hop acids, alcohol content, and limited nutrient availability, presents a hostile environment for most bacteria. However, <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> remains a significant spoilage organism in the brewing industry. This study examines the impact of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the inactivation and sublethal injury of <i>Lb. brevis</i> KKP 3574 in beer and wort. The results indicate that applying HHP at 400 MPa for 5 min effectively inactivates <i>Lb. brevis</i>, achieving up to a 7 log CFU/mL reduction in bacterial counts in beer, with no detectable sublethal injuries in beer samples. In contrast, in 10% wort, a sublethal injury level of 1.1 log CFU/mL was observed following the same HHP treatment. Furthermore, this study reveals a differential response of <i>Lb. brevis</i> cells depending on their growth phase; cells in the logarithmic growth phase are more susceptible to HHP, showing greater reduction in viability compared to those in the stationary phase. The survival dynamics of sublethally injured cells during refrigerated storage are also explored, with no regeneration observed in beer samples treated at pressures of 400 MPa or higher. These findings underscore the potential of HHP as a robust method for enhancing the microbiological safety and stability of beer while minimizing the risk of spoilage due to sublethally injured bacterial cells. This study provides crucial insights into optimizing HHP parameters to ensure product quality in the brewing industry.
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spelling doaj-art-9015c53fa6244f928b57fd15e9c7b91d2025-08-20T01:56:05ZengMDPI AGBeverages2306-57102024-09-011038310.3390/beverages10030083The Effect of High Pressure on <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> in Beer—Inactivation and Sublethal InjuryJustyna Nasiłowska0Barbara Sokołowska1Marzena Woszczyk2Joanna Bucka-Kolendo3Adrian Wojtczak4Department of Microbiology, Wacław Dabrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, IAFB Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (KKP), Rakowiecka 36 St., 02-532 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Microbiology, Wacław Dabrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, IAFB Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (KKP), Rakowiecka 36 St., 02-532 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Biology, Warsaw University, Miecznikowa 1 St., 02-089 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Microbiology, Wacław Dabrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, IAFB Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (KKP), Rakowiecka 36 St., 02-532 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Microbiology, Wacław Dabrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, IAFB Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (KKP), Rakowiecka 36 St., 02-532 Warsaw, PolandBeer, with its low pH, presence of hop acids, alcohol content, and limited nutrient availability, presents a hostile environment for most bacteria. However, <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> remains a significant spoilage organism in the brewing industry. This study examines the impact of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the inactivation and sublethal injury of <i>Lb. brevis</i> KKP 3574 in beer and wort. The results indicate that applying HHP at 400 MPa for 5 min effectively inactivates <i>Lb. brevis</i>, achieving up to a 7 log CFU/mL reduction in bacterial counts in beer, with no detectable sublethal injuries in beer samples. In contrast, in 10% wort, a sublethal injury level of 1.1 log CFU/mL was observed following the same HHP treatment. Furthermore, this study reveals a differential response of <i>Lb. brevis</i> cells depending on their growth phase; cells in the logarithmic growth phase are more susceptible to HHP, showing greater reduction in viability compared to those in the stationary phase. The survival dynamics of sublethally injured cells during refrigerated storage are also explored, with no regeneration observed in beer samples treated at pressures of 400 MPa or higher. These findings underscore the potential of HHP as a robust method for enhancing the microbiological safety and stability of beer while minimizing the risk of spoilage due to sublethally injured bacterial cells. This study provides crucial insights into optimizing HHP parameters to ensure product quality in the brewing industry.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/3/83<i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i>beer spoilagehigh hydrostatic pressure (HHP)sublethal injuries
spellingShingle Justyna Nasiłowska
Barbara Sokołowska
Marzena Woszczyk
Joanna Bucka-Kolendo
Adrian Wojtczak
The Effect of High Pressure on <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> in Beer—Inactivation and Sublethal Injury
Beverages
<i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i>
beer spoilage
high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)
sublethal injuries
title The Effect of High Pressure on <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> in Beer—Inactivation and Sublethal Injury
title_full The Effect of High Pressure on <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> in Beer—Inactivation and Sublethal Injury
title_fullStr The Effect of High Pressure on <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> in Beer—Inactivation and Sublethal Injury
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of High Pressure on <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> in Beer—Inactivation and Sublethal Injury
title_short The Effect of High Pressure on <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> in Beer—Inactivation and Sublethal Injury
title_sort effect of high pressure on i levilactobacillus brevis i in beer inactivation and sublethal injury
topic <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i>
beer spoilage
high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)
sublethal injuries
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/3/83
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