terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 INSIGHTS ON THE ROLE OF GENES ON AROMA FORMATION OF WINES

INSIGHTS ON THE ROLE OF GENES ON AROMA FORMATION OF WINES

Abstract

Yeast secondary metabolism is a complex network of biochemical pathways and the genetic profile of the yeast carrying out the alcoholic fermentation is obviously important in the formation of the metabolites conferring specific odors to wine. The aim of the present research was to investigate the relative expression of genes involved in flavor compound production in eight different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.

Two commercial yeast strains Sc1 (S.cerevisiae x S.bayanus) and Sc2 (S.cerevisiae) and six indigenous S. cerevisiae strains (Sc3, Sc4, Sc5, Sc6, Sc7, Sc8) isolated during spontaneous fermentations were inoculated in Assyrtiko and Vidiano grape must. The fermentation kinetics, content of organic acids and gly- cerol production was monitored daily throughout the experiment. Transcript profiling of yeast genes in- volved in aroma formation and volatile composition of the must/wine was performed through real-time RT-PCR and SPE/GC–MS respectively, at four different time points of the fermentations. Specifically, a total of 28 volatile compounds were determined and the relative expression levels of 46 genes coding for acetyl-CoA synthetases, amino acid permeases, transaminases, reductases, decarboxylases, alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases, alcohol acetyltransferases, acyltransferases, esterases and glycosidases were recorded.

The relative expression levels of the genes implicated in amino acids, higher alcohols, ethyl esters, and terpenes metabolism, such as EEB1, EHT1, EXG1, ARO8, ARO9, PDC5, PDC6, ADH6, ADH3, AAD14, AAD16, were higher at the first three time points studied, since the most active period of aroma compound accumulation appears to occur in earlier fermentation stages. Additionally, the transcriptome data revealed substantial changes in expression patterns of genes between the different strains tested. In terms of the volatile characterization of the wines, the concentration levels of total esters and total alcohols appeared to be clearly distinct between the wines, which confirms that the production of volatile compounds is strain depended. Remarkable differences in the gene expression levels were observed when comparing the different strains which resulted in different aroma profiles.

This study enhances our understanding on yeast aroma metabolism-related gene expression and regulation. This knowledge can be a tool to modulate aroma production and orient the fermentation process towards a desirable wine aromatic profile.

DOI:

Publication date: February 9, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Despina Lola¹, Chrysanthi Kalloniati², Emmanouil Flemetakis², Yorgos Kotseridis¹

1. Laboratory of Enology and Alcoholic Drinks, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855 Athens, Greece
2. Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855 Athens, Greece

Contact the author*

Keywords

gene expression, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, yeast metabolism, volatile profile

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

IMPACT OF MINERAL AND ORGANIC NITROGEN ADDITION ON ALCOHOLIC FERMENTATION WITH S. CEREVISIAE

During alcoholic fermentation, nitrogen is one of essential nutrient for yeast as it plays a key role in sugar transport and biosynthesis of and wine aromatic compounds (thiols, esters, higher alcohols). The main issue of a lack in yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) in winemaking is sluggish or stuck fermentations promoting the growth of alteration species and leads to economic losses. Currently, grape musts are often characterized by low YAN concentration and an increase of sugars concentration due to global warming, making alcoholic fermentations even more difficult. YAN depletion can be corrected by addition of inorganic (ammonia) or organic (yeast derivatives products) nitrogen during alcoholic fermentation.

NEW TOOL FOR SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND COLOUR MODIFICATIONS IN WINES

Measuring the effect of oxygen consumption on the colour of wines as the level of dissolved oxygen decreases over time is very useful to know how much oxygen a wine is able to consume without significantly altering its colour. The changes produced in wine after being exposed to high oxygen concen-trations have been studied by different authors, but in all cases the wine has been analysed once the oxygen consumption process has been completed. This work presents the results obtained with the use of an equipment designed and made to measure simultaneously the level of dissolved oxygen and the spectrum of the wine, during the oxygen consumption process from saturation levels with air to very low levels, which indicate the total consumption of the dosed oxygen.

Microbial ecosystems in wineries – molecular interactions between species and modelling of population dynamics

Microbial ecosystems are primary drivers of viticultural, oenological and other cellar-related processes
such as wastewater treatment. Metagenomic datasets have broadly mapped the vast microbial species
diversity of many of the relevant ecological niches within the broader wine environment, from vineyard
soils to plants and grapes to fermentation. The data highlight that species identities and diversity
significantly impact agronomic performance of vineyards as well as wine quality, but the complexity
of these systems and of microbial growth dynamics has defeated attempts to offer actionable
tools to guide or predict specific outcomes of ecosystem-based interventions.

Overhead spray water treatment as a mitigation strategy for reducing vine stress and preserving grape quality during heatwaves

Changes in climate have been influencing the quality of wine grapes worldwide. The impact of extreme climate events over short periods is increasingly recognized as a serious risk to grape quality and yield quantity. In this study the mitigation effects of a pulsed water spray on vine canopy during heatwave events has been evaluated for maintaining vine condition during the growing season and grape quality. Vines of three varieties (Malbec, Bonarda, and Syrah) under drip irrigation in the UNCuyo experimental vineyard were treated with an overhead pulsed water spray.

DOES LIGNIN AN ACCEPTABLE MARKER OF GRAPESEED MATURATION AND QUALITY?

Usually the winemaker consider polyphenols from the grape berry as an actor of the wine quality. There are frequently consider as a marker of grape maturity. It is commonly known that winemaker consider tannins and anthocyanins as main polyphenol actors for winemaking practices and wine quality. Here we will focus on the characterisation of lignins in grape seeds. Previous studies suggest that the seed is lignified [1], which could explain the change in colour of the seed when it reaches maturity and thus provide a reliable indicator for describing the maturity stage in the seed.