Japanese researchers identify beer compounds

Modern Brewery Age, May 30, 2005

Japanese researchers working for Suntory announced that the company has identified the structure of two gastrointestinal prokinetic compounds in beer, which were first isolated in 2004.

In collaboration with the University of Shizuoka, the Suntory Institute for Bioorganic Research, and NARD Institute, Suntory has confirmed that the two compounds are geometric isomers with the same molecular weight (500) and molecular formula (C28H3004N8).

One of the compounds is identified as hordatine A, a phytoalexin derived from barley, and the other is a unknown compound. Researchers noted that they have succeeded in chemically synthesizing the two compounds.

While seeking patents for usage and the synthesizing method, Suntory plans to examine the feasibility of two compounds with a view to develop and commercialize practical applications.

The research results were presented at the 25th Conference of the Japanese Society for Biomedical Research on Alcohol held in Tokyo in March.

--With reporting by Japan CNN