Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Exploring the resistance of non-Saccharomyces wine yeasts to dehydration-rehydration processes

Exploring the resistance of non-Saccharomyces wine yeasts to dehydration-rehydration processes

Abstract

AIM: The use of non-Saccharomyces (NS) yeasts in multi-starter fermentations with S. cerevisiae is a trend in the wine industry, but the number of strains commercially available in a powder formulation, such as active dry yeasts (ADY), is still limited. Considering that NS strains are bioresources which could boost innovation in the wine sector, efficient production of powder formulations is of utmost importance to valorise bioresources outside the laboratory environment.

METHODS: Three strains with high oenological potential, selected in previous studies, namely Lachancea thermotolerans DBT027, Metschnikowia sp. DBT012 and Starmerella bacillaris DBT045 were grown in a sterilized medium mainly constituted by grape juice with yeast assimilable nitrogen integration. Early stationary growth phase cultures were collected and suspended in 1% yeast extract, for powder production. The three prototype batches were rehydrated in tap water, to mimic winery conditions, for 15 minutes at four temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35 ºC). Survival rates of yeasts were assessed before and after rehydration, and after storage at -20 ºC. The same powder NS yeasts were also in multi-starter fermentations in winery and their persistence was monitored.

RESULTS: The selected NS yeast strains were able to grow in the production medium with similar yields, and the powder formulation retained elevated cell viability (around 109-1010 cells/g). The optimal rehydration temperature was different for the three strains: Metschnikowia sp. DBT012 and L. thermotolerans DBT027 maintained higher survival at 35 ºC, while S. bacillaris DBT045 at 20 ºC, as could be expected considering the phenotypic characteristics of the species. Technological performances of the tested powder formulations were satisfactory, especially for DBT012, which was able to grow in grape must after inoculation and dominated over the indigenous microbiota.

CONCLUSIONS

The applied protocol for producing NS yeasts in the powder formulation was successful, as they retained high viability during rehydration and suitable activity when inoculated in must. Powder formulation guaranteed the conservation of the same batch for several comparative tests, bringing out their positive contribution to innovative winemaking biotechnologies. The ability to withstand a larger scale process of biomass production is essential for the exploitation of suitable non-Saccharomyces yeasts selected among a collection of yeast strains with proven oenological potential at laboratory scale. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Research developed in the framework of POR FESR 2014-2020 Regione del Veneto, project VIT-VIVE

DOI:

Publication date: September 7, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Giovanna Felis 

Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Italy,Renato Leal BINATI, Dept. Biotechnology, University of Verona, Italy Eleonora TROIANO, Dept. Biotechnology, University of Verona, Italy Sandra TORRIANI, Dept. Biotechnology, University of Verona, Italy Marta TEBALDI, Microbion S.r.L. Italy Alessandro RONCADOR, Microbion S.r.L. Italy Fabio FRACCHETTI, Microbion S.r.L. Italy

Contact the author

Keywords

starter cultures, biomass production, dehydration, active dry yeasts

Citation

Related articles…

Effect of interspecific yeast hybrids for secondary in-bottle alcoholic fermentation of english sparkling wines

In sparkling winemaking several yeasts can be used to perform the primary alcoholic fermentation that leads to the elaboration of the base wine. However, only a few Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains are regularly used for the secondary in-bottle alcoholic fermentation 1. Recently, advances in yeast development programs have resulted in new breeds of interspecific wine yeast hybrids that ferment efficiently while producing novel flavours and aromas 2. In this work, sparkling wines produced using interspecific yeast hybrids for the secondary in-bottle alcoholic fermentation have been chemically and sensorially characterized.METHODS: Three commercial English base wines have been prepared for secondary in-bottle alcoholic fermentation with different yeast strains, including two commercial and several novel interspecific hybrids derived from Saccharomyces species not traditionally used in sparkling winemaking. After 12 months of lees ageing, the 14 wines produced were analysed for their chemical and macromolecular composition 3,4, phenolic profile 5, foaming and viscosity properties [6]. The analytical data were supplemented with a sensory analysis.

The role of climate/soil of different zones/terroirs on grape characteristics

According to the different concern of the ‘traditional’ and the ‘new’ wine-producing Countries, a variable importance is recognized to the climate/soil and to grapevine cultivars as factors affecting the wine quality. However, the viticultural experience can state that, within each area, climate and soil plays an incontestable role in affecting grape quality, and consequently wine quality, as well as the genetic characteristics of the cultivar.

Discriminant value of soil properties for terroir zoning

Environmental analysis (climate, vegetation, geomorfoloy-lanscape, lithology and soil) and its integration in a quality index taking the Appellation of Origin as the sole universe are used as general methodology for terroir zoning in Spain (Sotés and Gómez-Miguel, 1986-2005). This methodology is also applied to specific aspects of different Spanish Appellations of Origin (size, distribution and landscape peculiarities and vine occupation index).

Evaluation of the adaptation of Palomino Fino clones based on their physiological response

Genetic diversity within grapevine cultivars is a fundamental resource for varietal improvement and adaptation to cultivation requirements.

Agronomic behavior of three grape varieties in different planting density and irrigation treatments

In the O Ribeiro Denomination of Origin, there is a winemaking tradition of growing vines under a high-density plantation framework (8,920 vines/ha) and maintaining its vegetative cycle under rainfed conditions.
Currently, viticulture is advancing to plantation frames in which the density is considered medium (5,555 vines/ha), thus allowing mechanized work to be carried out for vineyard management operations. Although, the application of irrigation applied proportionally to the needs of the vegetative cycle of the vine, is a factor that increasingly helps a good development of the vine compared to the summer period, with increasingly uncertain weather forecasts.