Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Screening of aroma metabolites within a set of 90 Saccharomyces strains

Screening of aroma metabolites within a set of 90 Saccharomyces strains

Abstract

Currently, the main demand in the global wine market relies on products with unique flavour profiles, character, and typicity, and the metabolism of yeasts greatly influences the organoleptic properties of wines. Therefore, the natural diversity of Saccharomyces strains rises in interest over the last decade, but a large part of this phenotypic diversity remains unexplored. Moreover, the genetic basis underlying the variation in the production of flavour-active metabolites within the Saccharomyces genus remains poorly understood. The main purpose of this project is to provide a better understanding of how the synthesis of these flavour-active compounds is modulated at genetic level, aiming to identify genes with specific functions in the metabolism of yeasts. This information will be obtained through the generation of novel hybrids between different Saccharomyces species and the use of quantitative genetics. In this context, the first step was to assess the phenotypic diversity at the scale of Saccharomyces genus, regarding traits of industrial interest. With this aim, 90 yeast strains of all the eight species which compose the Saccharomyces clade were screened for their fermentative capacities and the production of aromas and other compounds of interest (such as glycerol or succinate). Fermentations in oenological conditions were carried out at different temperatures, monitoring the kinetic profiles and analysing the production of the main fermentation metabolites (by HPLC) as well as the production of more than 40 aroma compounds (by GC-MS). The sporulation ability of the strains, necessary for the hybridization, was also assessed. Important differences were found in the kinetic and volatile profiles of the strains, and the whole dataset provides a comprehensive picture of the phenotypic diversity within the genus Saccharomyces. This information confirms the interest in further development of genetic approaches to identify the molecular basis underlying the studied traits and opens the door for their improvement.

DOI:

Publication date: September 3, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Rafael Álvarez-Rafael, Sylvie DEQUIN, Edward J. LOUIS, Carole CAMARASA

UMR 1083 Sciences Pour l’Oenologie, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France, UMR 1083 Sciences Pour l’Oenologie, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France ,Centre of Genetic Architecture of Complex Traits, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK, UMR 1083 Sciences Pour l’Oenologie, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France

Contact the author

Keywords

Alcoholic fermentation; genus saccharomyces; phenotypic diversity; fermentative volatile compounds

Citation

Related articles…

Mapping aromatic profiles of Chardonnay and Sangiovese wines in grafting combination with new rootstocks

Rootstocks play a key role in the adaptation of grapevine to environmental conditions, affecting phenology, vigour, yield and grape quality.

Smoke tainted wine – what now?

The frequency of bushfires close to wine regions around the world has increased in the last two decades. The economic losses incurred when grapes and wines are discarded due to ‘smoke taint’ are substantial (i.e., hundreds of millions of dollars). Efforts to mitigate and ameliorate smoke taint are therefore crucial. Chardonnay, rosé and cabernet sauvignon wines made from grapes exposed to smoke during the 2020 wildfires in eastern Australia were subjected to various amelioration techniques: the addition of activated carbons, molecularly imprinted polymers (mips), and a proprietary resin (either directly, or following membrane filtration); spinning cone column (scc) distillation; and finally, transformation into vinegar.

Analyse de la perception du terroir et de sa valorisation par les viticulteurs de l’Anjou

An integrated terroir characterization is currently realized in the French northern vineyard: “Anjou”. The concept of Basic Terroir Unit (B.T.U.) and its associated ground model “Rock, Alteration, Alterite” are used in this characterization. This work is coupled to a viticultural survey, based on parcels.

Bees, climate changes, and “environmental sustainability 4.1c” in viticulture and the territory for a new global multiproductive “biometaethical district 4.1c”

The use of bees as pollinators in vine varieties with physiologically female flowers (Picolit, Bicane, Ceresa, Moscato rosa, etc.) (Cargnello, 1983) and as bio-indicators for biodiversity and environmental sustainability is well-known. Furthermore, there are interests in: 1-a. Making the viticulture of Belluno (Province of Veneto in North-eastern Italy, which is also famous for the Dolomites -a UNESCO World Heritage-) regain the socioeconomic role which it is entitled to and which it had got in its past by aiming at the enhancement of local grape variety in harmony with others, for example with the neighboring area of the Conegliano and Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG; 2-a. Maintaining and further improving the important natural and healthy environment of Belluno, and making its territory and the “lookout” means of the environmental sustainability, including its vineyards, even more naturally original and sustainable 4.1C.

VITIGEOSS Business Service: Task scheduling optimization in vineyards

Agriculture plantations are complex systems whose performance critically depends on the execution of several types of tasks with precise timing and efficiency to respond to different external factors. This is particularly true for orchards like vineyards, which need to be strictly monitored and regulated, as they are sensitive to diverse types of pests, and climate conditions. In these environments, managing and optimally scheduling the available work force and resources is not trivial and is usually done by teams of senior managers based on their experience. In this regard, having a baseline schedule could help them in the decision process and improve their results, in terms of time and resources spent.