terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 WINE LEES AS A SOURCE OF NITROGEN FOR OENOCOCCUS OENI TO IMPROVE MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION PERFORMANCE

WINE LEES AS A SOURCE OF NITROGEN FOR OENOCOCCUS OENI TO IMPROVE MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Malolactic fermentation (MLF) is a desired process in red and acidic white wines, after alcoholic fermentation (AF), carried out by the lactic acid bacterium (LAB) Oenococcus oeni. The advantages are an increase of pH, microbiological stabilization and organoleptic improvement of the final wine. However, the presence of stress factors such as ethanol, low pH, high total SO2, lack of nutrients and presence of inhibitors, could affect the successful completion of MLF [1]. Changes in amino acid composition and deficiencies in peptides after AF, showed that MLF can be delayed, signaling its importance for bacterial growth and L-malic acid degradation during MLF [2].

Wine lees accumulated after fermentation, contain approximately 25% of dried matter, that consists of 25 to 35% tartrate salts, 35 to 45% microorganisms (predominantly yeasts) and 30 to 40% organic residues [3]. During vinification, through yeast autolysis there is a release of nitrogen compounds that could be beneficial for LAB [4]. The monitorization of nitrogen compounds during MLF and aging on lees in red wine with O.oeni  has revealed the breaking down of peptides and rise in free amino acid concentration, supporting the idea of proteolytic activity [5].

The aim of the present work was to observe the effect of the addition of different wine lees, produced in the vintage 2022 in the cellar (Mas dels Frares, Tarragona, Spain) by different vinification processes, on MLF.  Protein concentration, primary amino nitrogen, free amino acids and ammonia were determined in wine lees coming from red and white wine with different inoculation strategies and fermenting temperatures. The ones presenting greater differences in nitrogen compounds composition were selected for the addition in synthetic wine with pH 3.5, ethanol 12% (v/v) and low nitrogen content. MLFs were carried out at 20 °C with two different strains of O.oeni showing differences in MLF performance. Changes in nitrogen compounds during MLF were evaluated. Under most of the conditions, the lees addition (1 g/L) produced a reduction in the MLF duration in comparison with the control condition. This effect is bacteria strain and lees dependent. Overall, it was confirmed that the addition of wine lees could be beneficial. This effect could be linked to the proteins and amino acids input.

 

  1. Sumby, K.M., Bartle, L., Grbin, P.R., Jiranek, V., 2019. Measures to improve wine malolactic fermentation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 103, 2033–2051. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-09608-8
  2. Guilloux-Benatier, M., Remize, F., Gal, L., Guzzo, J., Alexandre, H., 2006. Effects of yeast proteolytic activity on Oenococcus oeni and malolactic fermentation. FEMS Microbiology Letters 263, 183–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00417.x
  3. Renouil, Y. and Feret, C., 1988. Dictionnaire du vin. Ed. Sezame, Boulogne sur Seine.
  4. Martínez-Rodríguez, A.J., Polo, M.C., 2000. Characterization of the Nitrogen Compounds Released during Yeast Autolysis in a Model Wine System. J. Agric. Food Chem. 48, 1081–1085. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf991047a
  5. Alcaide-Hidalgo, J.M., Moreno-Arribas, M.V., Polo, M.C., Pueyo, E., 2008. Partial characterization of peptides from red wines. Changes during malolactic fermentation and ageing with lees. Food Chemistry 107, 622–630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.08.054

DOI:

Publication date: February 9, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Jacqueline Rodriguez Rey1, Montserrat Poblet2, Albert Bordons1, Nicolas Rozès2, Cristina Reguant1
1.Grup de Biotecnologia Enològica, Facultat d’Enologia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
2.Grup de Biotecnologia Microbiana dels Aliments. Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Facultat d’Enologia, Univer-sitat Rovira i Virgili

Contact the author*

Keywords

wine lees, malolactic fermentation, Oenococcus oeni, nitrogen compounds

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

CHEMICAL DRIVERS OF POSITIVE REDUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND CHARDONNAY WINES

According to winemakers, wine experts and sommeliers, aromas of wet stone, mineral, struck match and flint in white wines styles, such as those produced from Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay, are considered to be hallmarks of positive reduction.1,2 In recent years, the production of Chardonnay styles defined by aroma characteristics related to positive reduction has become more desirable among wine experts and consumers. The chemical basis of positive reduction is thought to originate from the concentration of specific volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), including methanethiol (MeSH) imparting mineral and chalk notes,3 and benzenemethanethiol (BMT) responsible for struck match and flint.1,4

Read More

INVESTIGATION INTO MOUSY OFF-FLAVOR IN WINE USING GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY WITH STIR BAR SORPTIVE EXTRACTION

Mousy off-flavor is one of the defects of microbial origin in wine. It is described as a particularly unpleasant defect reminiscent of rodent urine (a “dirty mouse cage”), and grilled foods such as popcorn, rice, crackers, and bread crust. Prior to the 2010s, mousiness was very uncommon but it has been becoming more frequent in recent years. It is often associated with an increase in pH as well as certain oenological practices, which tend to significantly decrease the use of sulfur dioxide.

Read More

ACIDIC AND DEMALIC SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE STRAINS FOR MANAGING PROBLEMS OF ACIDITY DURING THE ALCOHOLIC FERMENTATION

In a recent study several genes controlling the acidification properties of the wine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been identified by a QTL approach [1]. Many of these genes showed allelic variations that affect the metabolism of malic acid and the pH homeostasis during the alcoholic fermentation. Such alleles have been used for driving genetic selection of new S. cerevisiae starters that may conversely acidify or deacidify the wine by producing or consuming large amount of malic acid [2]. This particular feature drastically modulates the final pH of wine with difference of 0.5 units between the two groups.

Read More

PHOTO OXIDATION OF LUGANA WINES: INFLUENCE OF YEASTS AND RESIDUAL NITROGEN ON VSCS PROFILE

Lugana wines are made from Turbiana grapes. In recent times, many white and rosé wines are bottled and stored in flint glass bottles because of commercial appeal. However, this practice could worsen the aroma profile of the wine, especially as regards the development of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). This study aims to investigate the consequences of exposure to light in flint bottles on VSCs profile of Lugana wines fermented with two different yeasts and with different post-fermentation residual nitrogen.

Read More

INOCULATION OF THE SELECTED METSCHNIKOWIA PULCHERRIMA MP1 AS A BIOPROTECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO SULFITES TO PREVENT BROWNING OF WHITE GRAPE MUST

Enzymatic browning (BE) of must is caused by polyphenol oxidases (PPOs), tyrosinase and laccase. Both PPOs can oxidize diphenols such as hydroxycinnamic acids (HA) to quinones, which can later polymerize to form melanins [1], which are responsible of BE in white wines and of oxidasic haze in red wines. SO₂ is the main tool used to protect must from BE thanks to its capacity to inhibit PPOs [2]. However, the current trend in winemaking is to reduce and even eliminate this unfriendly additive. Among the different possible alternatives for protecting must against BE, the inoculation with a selected Metschnikowia pulcherrima MP1 is without any doubt one of the most promising ones.

Read More