CHANGE IN THE CONTENTS OF THE TRACE-ELEME NTS LEAD, CADMIUM, COPPER AND ZINC DURING BEER PRODUCTION

With the help of solid matter atom absorption spectroscopy the concent rations of trace elements were examined in pils beer. The course of th e concentration of the toxic trace elements lead and cadmium as well a s the essential trace elements copper and zinc were studied during the passage from the wort to the filled beer. The content of the elements was reduced by some 50 - 80% although various elements were reduced i n different process steps. Primarily the main fermentation or the abso rption capacity of beer yeast, respectively, are responsible for the r eduction in the lead, cadmium and zinc contents. The copper concentrat ions on the other hand were reduced more especially in the beer filtra tion phase. The studies confirmed the knowledge that the brewing proce ss contributes to reducing the content of trace elements and thus has a ''cleaning effect''.