Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Efficiency of alternative chemical and physical treatments in reducing Brettanomyces Bruxellensis from oak wood

Efficiency of alternative chemical and physical treatments in reducing Brettanomyces Bruxellensis from oak wood

Abstract

Oak barrels form an integral part of wine production, especially that of high quality wines. However, due to its porosity, wood presents an ecological niche for microbial proliferation and is highly susceptible to microbial spoilage which could cause considerable economic losses. Brettanomyces bruxellensis, the most commonly encountered microorganism responsible for spoilage during barrel ageing, can remain in barrels after barrel sanitation to contaminate new batches of wine after refilling. Therefore, effective sanitation treatments are of utmost importance to prevent recurring wine spoilage. Since a moratorium on the use of sulphur dioxide, the most widely used biocide for barrel sanitation, has been issued by the European Commission, there is a drastic need to evaluate alternative sanitation methods. Literature on the effectiveness of barrel sanitation treatments is scattered and presents inconclusive results. Furthermore, all studies have used culture-dependent methods to detect Brettanomyces which has been reported to attain a viable but non-culturable state [1,2]. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate several physical and chemical sanitation treatments in their efficiency to eliminate B. bruxellensis from oak wood. French oak wood was contaminated with different B. bruxellensis strains and subsequently subjected to several chemical and physical sanitation treatments. The methods included, among others, ozone gas, ozonated water, high pressure ultrasound, steam, peracetic acid, sodium percarbonate and microwave. After their extraction from the oak wood, Brettanomyces cells were subjected to a fluorescence-based live/dead staining and detected by means of flow cytometry. The treatments differed greatly in their ability to reduce B. bruxellensis cells with ozone gas showing promising results. Sodium percarbonate and steam treatments were also effective in reducing cells. This study presents the first evaluation of alternative barrel sanitation treatments by flow cytometry, a culture-independent method, and is also the first study to compare an array of barrel sanitation treatments under controlled conditions.

1. Agnolucci, M., Rea, F., Sbrana, C., Cristani, C., Fracassetti, D., Tirelli, A., Nuti, M., 2010. Sulphur dioxide affects culturability and volatile phenol production by Brettanomyces/ Dekkera bruxellensis. International Journal of Food Microbiology 143, 76-80. 2. Serpaggi, V., Remize, F., Recorbet, G., Gaudot-Dumas, E., Sequeira-Le Grand, A., Alexandre, H., 2012. Characterization of the “viable but nonculturable”(VBNC) state in the wine spoilage yeast Brettanomyces. Food Microbiology 30, 438-447.

Publication date: May 17, 2024

Issue: Macrowine 2016

Type: Article

Authors

Engela Kritzinger*, Maren Scharfenberger-Schm, Ulrich Fischer

*DLR Rheinpfalz

Contact the author

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Macrowine | Macrowine 2016

Citation

Related articles…

IBMP-Polypenol interactions: Impact on volatility and sensory perception in model wine solution

3-Isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP) is one of the key molecules in wine aroma with a bell pepper aroma and a very low threshold in wine, 1-6 ng/L for white wine and 10-16 ng/L in red wine1. The differences in these thresholds are likely due to IBMP-non volatile matrix interactions. It has indeed been shown that polyphenols may influence the volatility of flavor compounds2. In the present study, we focus on IBMP-polyphenols interactions in relation to volatility and sensory perception in model wine solution. Methods: 1. GC-MS Static Headspace Analysis: Samples were analyzed by Static headspace analysis with an Agilent 7890A gas chromatograph coupled to HP 5975C mass spectrometry detector (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA).

Impact of non-fruity compounds on red wines fruity aromatic expression: the role of higher alcohols

A part, at least, of the fruity aroma of red wines is the consequence of perceptive interactions between various aromatic compounds, particularly ethyl esters and acetates, which may contribute to the perception of fruity aromas, specifically thanks to synergistic effects.1,2 The question of the indirect impact of non-fruity compounds on this particular aromatic expression has not yet been widely investigated. Among these compounds higher alcohols (HA) represent the main group, from a quantitative standpoint, of volatiles in many alcoholic beverages. Moreover, some bibliographic data suggested their contribution to the aromatic complexity by either increasing or masking flavors of wine, depending of their concentrations.

Full automation of oenological fermentations and its application to the processing of must containing high sugar or acetic acid concentrations

Climate change and harvest date decisions have led to the evolution of must quality over the last decades. Increases in must sugar concentrations are among the most obvious consequences, quantitatively. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a robust and acid tolerant organism. These properties, its sugar to ethanol conversion rate and ethanol tolerance make it the ideal production organism for wine fermentations. Unfortunately, high sugar concentrations may affect S. cerevisiae and lead to growth inhibition or yeast lysis, and cause sluggish or stuck fermentations. Even sublethal conditions cause a hyperosmotic stress response in S. cerevisiae which leads to increased formation of fermentation by-products, including acetic acid, which may exceed legal limits in some wines.

Use of glutathione under different grape processing and winemaking conditions and its impact on the formation of sulfide off-flavors, colour, and sensory characteristics of Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, and Chardonnay

The use of glutathione (GSH) in winemaking has been legitimated recently, according to OIV resolutions OENO 445-2015 and OENO 446-2015 a maximum dose of 20 mg/L is now allowed to use in must and wine. Several studies have proven the benefits of GSH, predominantly in Sauvignon blanc. Thus, oxidative coloration of must and wine is limited, aroma compounds such as volatile thiols are preserved, and the development of ageing flavors such as sotolon and 2-aminoacetophenone is impeded. The protective effect may be explained by the high affinity of GSH to bind o-quinones which are formed during phenolic oxidation and which are known to initiate browning and other oxidative changes. Some researchers have proposed the hydroxycinnamic acid to GSH ratio (HGR) as an indicator of oxidation susceptibility of must and could show that lower ratios yielded lighter musts.

Study of the content of amino acids and biogenic amines in sparkling red wines

The production of red sparkling wines is lower in Spain in comparison with the winemaking of white or rosé sparkling wines. In red sparkling wine processing it is essential to obtain suitable base wines that should have moderate alcohol content, high acidity, good color values, an adequate mouth-feel and a sweet tannin. Grapes for sparkling wine production have to be harvested at low maturity stages, with lower alcohol contents and higher acidities, which will that the phenolic maturity of the grapes is also low, showing green tannins. This paper analyses different treatments in order to minimize these inconveniences: cold maceration-prefermentation and delestage to elaborate the grapes with lower maturity, must nanofiltration, and the partial osmosis of the wines made from grapes with an adequate maturity degree.