ROLE OF BEER COMPONENTS ON CHEMILUMINESCENCE PRODUCTION DURING BEER STORAGE

Chemiluminescence-producing reactions in beer and model systems were s tudied to clarify the relationship between chemiluminescence productio n and the deterioration of beer quality during storage. Active oxygen produced during beer storage attacks beer components such as phenolic components and isohumulones, producing excited species such as O-1(2) and excited carbonyls. They release their excess energy as a light emi ssion and are transformed into a stable state. These reactions occur i n packaged beer during storage, and the deterioration of beer quality by free radical reactions is always accompanied by light emission.