Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Use of pectinolytic yeast in wine fermentations

Use of pectinolytic yeast in wine fermentations

Abstract

The use of pectinolytic enzymes in winemaking is state of the art. These enzymes catalyse the degradation of pectic substances through depolymerization (hydrolases and lyases) and de-esterification. As a result, it supports the extraction of juice and facilitates filtration. It has also been shown in winemaking that the presence of pectinolytic enzymes improves the stability, taste, texture, colour and aroma of products. With regard to enzymes currently applied in winemaking, enzymes derived from filamentous fungi dominate the enzyme industry. Fungal-based pectinolytic enzymes specifically require purification from the culture medium to eliminate unwanted side reactions, which is poorly sustainable. Some non-traditional yeast strains have been reported to exhibit pectinolytic activities. Therefore, the direct use of pectinolytic yeast during wine fermentation process can be an attractive and alternative source for the use of enzymes as input. However, little is known about the effect of non-traditional yeasts with pectinolytic activities on wine fermentation and product quality. In fact, the use of such yeasts can have a very positive effect on the taste complexity and sensory richness of the product. In this study, from 17 different species more than 500 yeast strains were screened for their polygalacturonase activities (PGA). Enzymatic screening was performed in solid rich medium containing 2% polygalacturonic acid, and the activity of PGA+ strains was separately quantified with a microplate colorimetric test developed in this study. The superior pectinolytic yeasts were dominated by Kluyveromyces and Cryptococcus sp.. High pectinase producing Kluyveromyces sp (intrinsic yeast of grape must) was selected for further winemaking experiments. In particular, we investigated the consequences of the use of K. marxianus strains in sequential fermentation with S. cerevisae on fermentation kinetics, aroma profiles and more widely sensory properties of wines. Overall, the use of pectinolytic yeast in wine fermentations has the potential to benefit winemakers. In particular, hydrolysis of grape cell walls by K. marxianus endopolygalacturonase results in the release of compounds found in the skin of the grape that improve the quality of the wine.

DOI:

Publication date: September 24, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Mehmet Gazaloglu, Prof Dr. Carole Camasara , Prof Dr. Sylvie Dequin, Prof. Dr. Elke Nevoigt

Sciences for Oenology, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen

Contact the author

Keywords

nonconventional yeast pectinases

Citation

Related articles…

SO2 consumption in white wine oxidation: approaches to low input vinifications based on rapid electrochemical analyses and predictive enology

Oxidative stability is a critical factor in maintaining wine quality during its shelf-life. SO₂ is commonly added to wine due to its strong antioxidant activity, although there is a general push to reduce SO₂ use in vinification.

Historical terraced vineyards – heritage and nature conservation strategies

Historical terrace vineyards are simultaneously impressive documents of the human inclination to design, sites for the production of high quality wines and habitats for a rich variety of flora and fauna

Can plant shaking reduce the incidence of Botrytis?

Wine production is expanding in Scandinavia with a focus on organic growing, and Solaris becoming the signature grape of the region.

Adapting the vineyard to climate change in warm climate regions with cultural practices

Since the 1980s global regime shift, grape growers have been steadily adapting to a changing climate. These adaptations have preserved the region-climate-cultivar rapports that have established the global trade of wine with lucrative economic benefits since the middle of 17th century. The advent of using fractions of crop and actual evapotranspiration replacement in vineyards with the use of supplemental irrigation has furthered the adaptation of wine grape cultivation. The shift in trellis systems, as well as pruning methods from positioned shoot systems to sprawling canopies, as well as adapting the bearing surface from head-trained, cane-pruned to cordon-trained, spur-pruned systems have also aided in the adaptation of grapevine to warmer temperatures. In warm climates, the use of shade cloth or over-head shade films not only have aided in arresting the damage of heat waves, but also identified opportunities to reduce the evapotranspiration from vineyards, reducing environmental footprint of vineyard. Our increase in knowledge on how best to understand the response of grapevine to climate change was aided with the identification of solar radiation exposure biomarker that is now used for phenotyping cultivars in their adaptability to harsh environments. Using fruit-based metrics such as sugar-flavonoid relationships were shown to be better indicators of losses in berry integrity associated with a warming climate, rather than solely focusing on region-climate-cultivar rapports. The resilience of wine grape was further enhanced by exploitation of rootstock × scion combinations that can resist untoward droughts and warm temperatures by making more resilient grapevine combinations. Our understanding of soil-plant-atmosphere continuum in the vineyard has increased within the last 50 years in such a manner that growers are able to use no-till systems with the aid of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi inoculation with permanent cover cropping making the vineyard more resilient to droughts and heat waves. In premium wine grape regions viticulture has successfully adapted to a rapidly changing climate thus far, but berry based metrics are raising a concern that we may be approaching a tipping point.

Understanding the physiological responses of Sauvignon blanc vines to sequential extreme weather events: implications for vineyard management in a changing climate

Climate plays a predominant role in vines’ growth and productivity and several environmental variables are already known to pose challenges to grapevine production and the horticultural industry as a whole. In this context, a number of extreme weather events already occurring and expected to occur in the next decades even more frequently and with higher magnitude results from current climate change scenario. The aim of this study was to examine the physiological responses of roots, leaves, and berries of Vitis vinifera cv. Sauvignon blanc to consecutive and combined stressors simulated in a semi-controlled environment.