VIEW ARTICLE    DOI: 10.1094/ASBCJ-47-0057

Evaluation of a Colorimetric Method for Determination of Ascorbates in Beer. James J. Kelley and K. J. Siebert, The Stroh Brewery Company, Detroit, MI 48207. J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem. 47:0057, 1989.

A colorimetric method for routine determination of reduced ascorbates in beer based on a kit from Boehringer Mannheim was evaluated. With slight modification, the assay was found to be well-suited for determining reduced ascorbates in beer. The limit of determination in beer was found to be 1.09 mg/L versus 0.31 mg/L for a liquid chromatographic electrochemical detection method (LCEC). The 95% sample confidence interval at 10 mg/L was ±0.94 mg/L compared with ±1.99 mg/L for the LCEC method. The slope of a standard curve was found to be within 2% of the theoretical value and statistically not significantly different. The method utilizes common laboratory equipment, does not suffer interference from beer constituents, is rapid and reproducible, and does not require the preparation of reagents or a standard curve.

Keywords: Ascorbic acid oxidase, liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection (LCEC).