Beer’s aroma evolved to satisfy flies

[Super Nova]

Interesting. I thought the smell evolved to attract yobos and to turn women off entering the public bar.


Beer’s aroma evolved to satisfy flies

The unmistakable fruity smell of beer and ale might be assumed to be down to some mystery of the brewing process, designed to make pints so inviting.

Now scientists have found that we have fruit flies to thank for the aroma, in a study suggesting that beer yeasts and fruit flies have evolved a symbiotic relationship that hinges on smell.

The fruity aromas attract the insects, which transport the yeast to new niches and, in return, the insects benefit from the protein in yeast.

Emre Yaksi, who led the work at the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, said: “It seems that the same flavours that allow us to enjoy our beer, probably evolved to attract flies and to help yeast disperse into broader ecosystems.”

The study, published today in the journal Cell Reports, looked at how fruit flies react to brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and a mutant version of the same yeast in which the genes responsible for the fruity smell had been silenced. The flies showed a strong preference for the smelliest yeasts and ignored the mutant unfruity yeast.

The study also showed that when flies landed on the yeast, they picked up the microbes on their legs and transported them to different sites.

Both flies and yeast gain from the attraction, and the relationship has probably existed for millions of years.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/science/a ... 232129.ece

[Black Orchid]

Doesn't surprise me at all. Disgusting stuff

[GeorgeH]

Those are the fruity esters in ale. Don’t occur in lager—cold ferments and lagering are all about removing ale characteristics.

Gimme ale over lager any time!

[Rorschach]

Looks like it attracts Bar-Flies...

[GeorgeH]

The ponderous unhumor of a slug. I don’t think it is possible to make a more predictable statement.

You are not funny, roach, you have NO sense of humor AT ALL!

[Rorschach]

Oh back to the bottom of the garden with you where you can blend in with the garden gnomes whilst pulling off butterflies wings eh...

[Rorschach]