Analysis of Polyvinylpyrrolidone in Beer

Abstract

The Vital Red (VR) method (column chromatography) for the analysis of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in beer was improved by the use of a new separable mini-column and a modified packing method. A simplified method also as developed by which PVP in the range of 1-10ppm was semi-determinable visually with the naked eye. Congo Red, which is readily available in Japan, was tested to determine whether or not it could be used in the new method. It gave the same sensitivity as the VR method, but the recovery of PVP from beer was a little over 100%. Using these methods, no PVP was detected in 4 kinds of Japanese beer and 8 kinds of imported beer. GPC high performance liquid chromatography was also studied for PVP determination, but without success.