Characteristics of a rice beer (zutho) and a yeast isolated from the fermented product in Nagaland, India

Rice beer, known locally as zutho was collected in the Kohima district in Nagaland, India, and subjected to analytical and microbiological characterization. Zutho was a whitish porridge-like slurry containing 5.0% (v/v) ethanol. Volatile esters and higher alcohols, such as ethyl acetate and 3-methylbutanol, were detected in this indigenous alcoholic beverage by gas chromatography. The pH and acidity of zutho were 3.6 and 5.1, respectively. Zutho had a fruity aroma and sour taste and its unique aroma had characteristics similar to those of Japanese sake and sprouted rice sake. A fermentation yeast isolated from zutho was identified as being a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and was found to be suitable as the brewing yeast for ethanol fermentation.