Application
Exclusively in the brewing of beer: during the brewing process, the yeast forms a specific substance (alpha-acetolactate), which then forms diacetyl (butter aroma), which is undesirable in beer. During storage, this aroma slowly is converted into a neutral taste note. In order to shorten the conversion time, diacetyl is eliminated by addition of the enzyme.
In Germany, the use of enzymes during brewing violates the purity laws and therefore is not allowed.
Gene technology
To date, two biotechnologically won acetolactate-decarboxylase specimens are marketed in Europe. They are produced with help of GM microorganisms (bacillus stems, also called brewer’s yeast sccharomyces cerevisae).
Labelling: labelling of enzymes in regard to their production using GM microorganisms is generally not foreseen in the European Union.