THE DETECTION OF ISINGLASS FININGS IN BEER

A method for the detection of isinglass finings in beer is described. Protein is precipitated from the beer with a large excess of sodium alginate and hydrolysed; the hydrolysate is examined colorimetrically for the presence of hydroxyproline. The presence of this imino acid, which is found in substantial proportions only in collagen and gelatin, indicates that the beer has been fined.