Alphafloc Paste

Overview

Alphafloc isinglass paste is produced from the clean maws of certain types of fish. These fish maws contain about 98% collagen on a dry ash-free basis. The paste form of isinglass comprises finely divided isinglass in an aqueous base with sodium metabisulphite as preservative. The fish maws are subjected to vigorous cleaning followed by wet size reduction via processing which avoids heat generation (thereby avoiding thermal degradation of the collagen).

The ready for use isinglass produced from the paste is added to beer at the end of fermentation to speed maturation and improve filtration by removing yeasts and protein particles. For ease of use Alphafloc paste is supplied with the necessary acid and preservative in a separate sachet. Alphafloc viscosity is typically around 50-60,000 cP.

Principle

The precise nature of the action of collagen on yeast and proteins is not fully understood, and many suggestions have been promoted. Collagen exists in solution as tightly bound triple helix strands which possess both positively and negatively charges sites along their length. It is clear that the amino acid make-up of collagen, and specifically the high proportion of proline and hydroxyproline, contributes to its remarkable ability to remove both yeasts and proteins so effectively. In a typical application greater than 95% of yeast and 90% of protein particles are removed.

QUICK FACTS

Benefit 1
Reduced cold storage time.
Benefit 2
Fewer vessels.
Benefit 3
Lower energy use.
Benefit 4
Reduced beer loss.
Benefit 5
Improved filtration.
Benefit 6
Faster throughput.
Benefit 7
Reduced powder use.
Benefit 8
Improved beer haze and stability.
Benefit 9
Less re-work.
Treatment Rates
A typical treatment rate of 1 -3 g/hl (as isinglass) is recommended. Typical addition rates of the ready to use liquid isinglass for beers prior to filtration are between 0.25 -1 L/hL of beer. For both performance and commercial considerations it is advisable to identify the correct addition rate. This will vary from beer to beer (a simple optimization test is detailed later).
Application
Alphafloc is added via a solution to beer at the end of fermentation and chilling, or if centrifuges are used, immediately after centrifugation. It is fully compatible with silica gel, but all other processing aids at this stage should be added separately. (methods of solution preparation are detailed later) For maximum benefit the Alphafloc solution should be added inline to the beer during transfer. If added prior to the chiller satisfactory incorporation will occur. A static inline mixer is advisable otherwise. Some beers react very quickly with Alphafloc - flocculation can occur within minutes of addition. In these cases Alphafloc addition should take place throughout the whole period of beer transfer. If this is not possible additions should be made during the latter part of the transfer, or to the filled vessel. Unitank operation presents a special set of circumstances. The beer should be chilled conventionally. Immediately before addition of Alphafloc the sedimented yeast should be fully removed. The Alphafloc solution can be pumped into the bottom of the vessel and mixed with CO2. The design and size of the cold storage vessel and the filterability requirements of the beer, will dictate the length of time required for settlement. In all instances care should be taken in removing all the settled solids prior to filtration.

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