WAC 2022 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 WAC 9 WAC 2022 9 3 - WAC - Oral 9 The wine microbial ecosystem: Molecular interactions between yeast species and evidence for higher order interactions

The wine microbial ecosystem: Molecular interactions between yeast species and evidence for higher order interactions

Abstract

Fermenting grape juice represents one of the oldest continuously maintained anthropogenic microbial environments and supports a well-mapped microbial ecosystem. Several yeast and bacterial species dominate this ecosystem, and some of these species are part of the globally most studied and best understood individual organisms. Detailed physiological, cellular and molecular data have been generated on these individual species and have helped elucidate complex evolutionary processes such as the domestication of wine yeast strains of the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These data support the notion that the wine making environment represents an ecological niche of significant evolutionary relevance. Taken together, the data suggest that the wine fermentation ecosystem is an excellent model to study fundamental questions about the working of microbial ecosystems and on the impact of biotic selection pressures on microbial ecosystem functioning. Indeed, and although well mapped, the rules and molecular mechanisms that govern the interactions between microbial species within this, and other, ecosystems remain underexplored. Here we present data derived from several converging approaches, including microbiome data of spontaneous fermentations, the population dynamics of constructed consortia, the application of biotic selection pressures in directed laboratory evolution, and the physiological and molecular analysis of pairwise and higher order interactions between yeast species. The data reveal the importance of cell wall-related elements in interspecies interactions and in evolutionary adaptation and suggest that predictive modelling and biotechnological control of the wine ecosystem during fermentation are promising strategies for wine making in future.

DOI:

Publication date: June 13, 2022

Issue: WAC 2022

Type: Article

Authors

Cleo Conacher, Florian F. Bauer, Natasha Luyt, Bryan K. Mundia, Mathabatha E. Setati, Debra Rossouw

Presenting author

Cleo Conacher | South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Stellenbosch University

South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Stellenbosch University

Contact the author

Keywords

Fermentation ecosystem, dominant yeast species, interactions, consortia, gene expression

Tags

IVES Conference Series | WAC 2022

Citation

Related articles…

The role of NAC61 transcription factor in the regulation of berry ripening progression 

The undergoing global warming scenario is affecting grapevines phenology, including the timing of berry ripening and harvest date, negatively impacting production and quality. This work reports the crucial role of NAC61, a grapevine NAC transcription factor, in regulating metabolic processes occurring from the onset of ripening onwards. NAC61 high confidence targets mainly represent genes acting on stilbene biosynthesis and regulation, and in osmotic and oxidative/biotic stress-related responses. The direct regulation of the stilbene synthase regulator MYB14, the osmotic stress-related gene DHN1b, and the Botrytis cinerea susceptibility gene WRKY52, were all further validated.

Read More

Sustainable management of grapevine trunk diseases

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTD) occur wherever grapes are grown and are considered the main biotic factor reducing yields and shortening vineyards’ lifespan. Currently, no product is available to eradicate GTD once grapevines are infected. Therefore, prophylactic strategies based on pruning wound protection and ‘remedial surgery’, the only eradication method based on the elimination of infected wood and renewal of the vine by means of new canes or suckers, are the only effective strategies available. The Canadian grape and wine industry focusses on a sustainable production and thus, looking for alternatives to chemicals for disease management is a top priority.

Read More

Characterisation of Sicilian Nero d’Avola grape and wine: A preliminary study

The chemical composition and the sensory characteristics of wine result from dynamic interactions between several factors including grape variety, soil, viticultural techniques, climate conditions, yeasts metabolism, oenological approaches. Recently, Grigg et al.

Read More

Influence of the “terroir” (soil, climate and wine grower) on the quality of red Grenache wines in the Rhône Valley

«L’Observatoire Grenache» est un réseau de parcelles qui a été mis en place par l’Institut Rhodanien en Vallée du Rhône sur les millésimes de 1995 à 1999. Composé de 24 parcelles de Vitis vinifera L. cv Grenache noir, ce réseau vise à étudier l’influence du terroir (sol, climat et vigneron) sur la qualité des vins. Les parcelles ont été choisies afin de représenter différentes situations géographiques et géopédologiques de la vallée du Rhône. Le matériel végétal (clone, porte-greffe), la taille (cordon de Royat), la densité et l’âge de la parcelle ont été encadrées. Ainsi les conditions de milieu (sol, climat) et les pratiques du vigneron étaient les principales sources de variations.

Read More

Is your juice truly organic? An isotopic approach for certifying organic grape juice

The sustainability and authenticity of grape juice production have gained increasing attention, particularly regarding the environmental impact and health benefits of organic practices.

Read More