The 2nd Research Colloquium presents VLB research projects for the 1st time ever online

VLB’s 1st online annual kick-off event, which was held from 26 to 28 January, was hosted at the VLB Virtual Campus. The 2nd VLB Research Colloquium was on the agenda, alongside brewing technology and beverage logistics. In follow-up to the German-language conferences that were canceled in 2020, the speakers got the possibility to present their research.

VLB Managing Director and Research Coordinator Gerhard Andreas Schreiber explaining the central role of research at VLB

Dr. Alfons Ahrens, VLB Research Institute for Biotechnology and Water, talked on legionella in cooling water (ew) VLB’s Managing Director and Research Coordinator Gerhard Andreas Schreiber welcomed all those attending the annual conference to the inaugural online colloquium. Since 2012, he has devoted his full attention to expanding VLB’s research capabilities. “The VLB has a total staff of 135, of which 88 work on the research side. Our research is carried out in close partnership with the Technical University of Berlin, with funding provided on a per project basis by industrial partners as well as German and international funding bodies,” reported Schreiber. VLB primarily concentrates on applied research, with a much smaller focus on basic research. The idea for new projects often comes from internal staff, be that as an offshoot of employees’ consulting activities or from discussions with customers. “Along with that, companies often come to us with questions they need help answering,” Schreiber went on to report in his presentation. In step one, the idea is evaluated to determine if it is original and marketable. Time plans are then drawn up, partnerships are initiated, and funding applications are sent to project sponsors. “Once the research project is completed, the transfer of knowledge begins. VLB is in an excellent position to facilitate this thanks to our extensive network,” Schreiber explains. One of the prime methods used to transfer knowledge is through training and education. “We convey information at our courses and at conferences.” Knowledge is also transferred as a service to customers, like, for example, packaging and sensory testing. Information on current projects was provided at presentations held during the VLB Research Colloquium.

Dr. Alfons Ahrens, VLB Research Institute for Biotechnology and Water (FIBW), touched on the topic of water in his presentation on the research project Legionella in

the Cooling Water of Evaporative

Cooling Systems. Eight breweries provided VLB with real samples. The aim of the project was to develop a methodology to identify, based on the individual operating parameters of an (open) evaporative cooling system, including the quality of the cooling water used, the specific factors required in each case for the sampling and testing procedure as well as the specific method used to ensure the sys-

tem runs hygienically. (INNOKOM 49MF180049, 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2020)

Laura Knoke, VLB Research Institute for Beer and Beverage Analysis, discussed the topic of analytics. In her lecture, Knoke reported on the goal of developing an analy-

tics platform for comprehensive and effective characterization of value-adding beverage flavoring

agents. The aim of the platform is to provide effective support in a wide range of technological issues that arise, for example, during product development when making changes to processes or in the case of unexpected off-flavors. The research focused on establishing a new type of instrumental analytics and combining this with sensory product testing to create a useful service. Real samples were used to verify and validate the effectiveness of the overall methodology. (INNO-KOM 49MF180110, 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2020) tioned poration would allow for the accelerated transport of substances through the membrane, which could result in faster substrate metabolism or accelerated metabolism in general. (INNOKOM 49VF150042, 1 February 2017 to 31 May 2019)

Photo: oh

In his presentation Use of PEF

Technology in the Brewery’s Yeast

Management, Florian Schrickel from the VLB Research Institute for Beer and Beverage Production (FIBGP) discussed a research project focused on brewing technology. The aim of the research project was to investigate possible effects of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) of varying intensity on yeast population during yeast propagation and beer wort fermentation and to study any potential impact this may have on beer quality. The reversible formation of pores in the cell membrane of microorganisms was investigated as one such effect. Under this approach, the aforemenThe presentation given by Dr. Roland Pahl also focused on brewing technology. The former Head of the VLB Research Institute for Beer and Beverage Production reported on the ongoing research project Vegan Wet Glue Labelling System. The aim of the project is to develop an alternative to casein glue in the wet glue labelling of bottled beverages. Regardless of the disadvantages that come with casein (including rising prices, inconsistent quality, non-vegan), the alternative should still be natural and harmonize with established bottle cleaning systems. Since the research project is still ongoing and in order not to reveal further details of the project, Dr. Pahl was unavailable for a Q&A Zoom session at the end of his video presentation. (INNOKOM 49MF190081, 1 January 2019 to 30 September 2021)

Dr. Martin Senz, Head of the VLB Research Institute for Biotechnology and Water (FIBW), focused on the topic of microbiology in his lecture Impact of Maillard Reac-

tion Products on the Properties of

Lactic Acid Bacteria. The now-completed research project centered on the targeted influencing of the stability of rod-shaped bacteria (bacillus). The research focused on investigating the extent to which the growth properties of bacterial cultures, in particular lactic acid bacteria, can be positively influenced in the lasting manner by means of targeted growth media processing and/or formation. One of the primary ways to influence the growth properties was based on the preparation and use of culture media containing Maillard reaction products, which can positively influence the growth properties, including the cell concentration and cell morphology, of the cultures. (INNOKOM 49VF150026, 1 March 2016 to 31 August 2018)

The final presentation in the VLB Research Colloquium session brought the second day of VLB’s three-day annual kick-off event to an end. After a short Q&A session, Gerhard Andreas Schreiber said a few words to those attending the conference to close out the event. At this time, he made the following appeal: “We are constantly on the lookout for new projects and partners who are keen to get involved in our research work.” On air: Florian Schrickel, VLB Research Institute for Beer and Beverage Production (FIBGP), in the VLB studio

Below: Dr. Martin Senz, Head of the VLB Research Institute for Biotechnology and Water (FIBW), reported on the targeted influencing of rodshaped bacteria

Laura Knoke from the VLB Research Institute for Beer and Beverage Analysis (FIBGA) reported on the development of an analytics platform