Yeast + X-rays = ?

[BeerBoy]

Was wondering if anybody has taken their yeast slants/slurry through airport baggage screening x-rays, and what, if anything, happened as a result? Can that dose of x-rays kill yeast? Cause mutations that result in your IIPA tasting like Zima on 'roids?
Any hassles from screeners about what looks like a potential biohazard (White Labs tubes - there is a lot of ignorance out there)? I may try for hand screening but I don't want to spend a lot of time talking about where I was in 1978...

David Anderson
Brewer's Alchemy Exports & Consulting

[jarviw]

I don't think the carry-on security check scaning is so strong to cause much damage, but yes, you do risk causing DNA damage, whenever there's X-ray, UV, or whatever can induce free oxygen radicals.

I would just have them hand check the yeast. prove them you are a brewer would probably help. Be nice and be patient. It will take the extra 3-5 min for hand check, but it's not that bad.

In any event, NEVER, put the yeast in the check-in luggage. Check-ins go through very strong X-ray, which will definitely cause damages!

[Larry Horwitz]

why not fed-ex it to yourself?

[gitchegumee]

I had the opportunity to troubleshoot a brewery with problems in a former Soviet state. The yeast would not attenuate properly, stopping at about 50%. I found that the yeast had been severly damaged due to x-rays from customs clearances. Other countries I've been to have a customs form that ask specifically "are you carrying any cultures or bacteria". Made me wonder who doesn't carry bacteria, but I understood it to also include yeast cultures. Might want a smack pack as they look innocent enough and they are in attractive commercial packaging. A slant on a tube could be anything--especially to a paranoid customs officer. How do you intend to prove your slant is benign? I've carried yeast in smack packs many times with no hassles or fermentation problems. Good luck!