 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

Oenological features of Sangiovese wine from vinification of whole grape berries

The present study was performed in a traditional winery located in the viticultural area of Brunello di Montalcino, Siena, Italy, in the vintage 2015. Actually, in this winery Sangiovese grape musts are fermented in large oak barrels by a single strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae previously isolated in the same winery. Pumping over operations are carried out once or twice a day until the end of alcoholic fermentations. The aim of this work was to investigate on the oenological properties of Sangiovese wine produced with the traditional winemaking process adopted by the winery under study obtained from the fermentation of whole berries compared to that from crushed grape must. In particular, two lots of 65q of Sangiovese grapes from the same 3ha vineyard were vinified in 150hL oak barrels.

The state-of-the-art of grapevine biotechnology and new breeding technologies (NBTS)

The manipulation of the genetic basis controlling grapevine adaptation and phenotypic plasticity can be performed either by classical genetics or biotechnologies.

Activation of retrotransposition in grapevine

Retrotransposons, particularly of the Ty-Copia and Ty-Gypsy superfamilies, represent the most abundant and widespread transposons in many plant genomes. Grapevine is no exception and it is clear that these mobile elements have played a major role in the evolution of Vitaceae genomes. While speculation abounds around the possible role of transposons in plant genomes, outside of the rather obvious involvement of retrotransposition in fueling genome expansion, there is little clarity of the actual role these elements have in both developing new genetic variation and in modulating epigenetic responses within genomes to changing climate. To this end we have been exploring de-novo assembled Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir genomes with a view to catalogue retrotransposon loci to determine the structural intactness and thus age of insertion variation across a small number of clonal linages of these 2 varietals in an attempt to identify ‘live’ TE loci.

Isotopes to distinguish production system in Brazilian viticulture

Organic viticulture integrates practices aimed at foresting positive relationships among, vines, soil, and climate, with a focus on sustainability, social responsibility, and environmental protection. To safeguard production integrity, regulatory bodies worldwide conduct organic certifications in accordance with relevant regulations. Considering that agriculture practices influence the nitrogen, carbon and oxygen isotope composition, the study aimed to investigate the response of these isotopes in grape must cultivated by organic, biodynamic and conventional methods to distinguish between production systems.

The geological and geomorphological events that determine the soil functional characters of a terroir

The geology of a region is deemed to be an important component of terroir, as it influences the shape of the landscape and the climate of vineyard. The nature of rock and the geomorphological history of a terroir affect soil physical and chemical composition through a dynamic interplay with the changes of climate, vegetation and other living organisms, as well as with man activities.