The Power of Stable Isotope Dilution Assays in Brewing

The quantification of trace substances in raw materials, mash, wort and beer is becoming more frequently required by brewers. Stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography mass spectrometry instrumentation is a sensitive and highly specific technique for precise quantification of trace substances from complex matrices. The current paper elucidates the basic principles of stable isotope dilution assays and presents practical applications related to brewing. It emphasizes the importance of isotope standards in multi-step sample clean-up procedures and answers the question why SIDA is (so far) not widely used in brewery quality control.

BrewingScience - Monatsschrift für Brauwissenschaft, 64 (November/December 2011), pp. 140-150