Transgenic wine yeast technology comes of age: is it time for transgenic wine?

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the main yeast responsible for alcoholic fermentation of grape juice during wine making. This makes wine strains of this species perfect targets for the improvement of wine technology and quality. Progress in winemaking has been achieved through the use of selected yeast strains, as well as genetic improvement of wine yeast strains through the sexual and pararexual cycles, random mutagenesis and genetic engineering. Development of genetically engineered wine yeasts, their potential application, and factors affecting their commercial viability will be discussed in this review.     

Improvement of a Wine Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strain by a Breeding Program

Hybridization by spore conjugation was used to develop new and improved wine yeasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The procedure was achieved with diploid, homothallic strains with high sporulation frequency and high spore viability. The method was verified by crossing flocculent and non-H₂S-forming strains. Single-spore descendants of the hybrids were studied by tetrad analysis with regard to the aforementioned characters and the other two winemaking traits, i.e., ethanol production and fermentation rate. A highly flocculent, non-H₂S-forming wine yeast strain with a high fermentation rate and high ethanol production was obtained.     

Phenotypic and genotypic diversity of wine yeasts used for acidic musts

The aim of this study was to examine the physiological and genetic stability of the industrial wine yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus var. uvarum under acidic stress during fermentation. The yeasts were sub-cultured in aerobic or fermentative conditions in media with or without l-malic acid. Changes in the biochemical profiles, karyotypes, and mitochondrial DNA profiles were assessed after minimum 50 generations. All yeast segregates showed a tendency to increase the range of compounds used as sole carbon sources. The wild strains and their segregates were aneuploidal or diploidal. One of the four strains of S. cerevisiae did not reveal any changes in the electrophoretic profiles of chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA, irrespective of culture conditions. The extent of genomic changes in the other yeasts was strain-dependent. In the karyotypes of the segregates, the loss of up to 2 and the appearance up to 3 bands was noted. The changes in their mtDNA patterns were much broader, reaching 5 missing and 10 additional bands. The only exception was S. bayanus var. uvarum Y.00779, characterized by significantly greater genome plasticity only under fermentative stress. Changes in karyotypes and mtDNA profiles prove that fermentative stress is the main driving force of the adaptive evolution of the yeasts. l-malic acid does not influence the extent of genomic changes and the resistance of wine yeasts exhibiting increased demalication activity to acidic stress is rather related to their ability to decompose this acid. The phenotypic changes in segregates, which were found even in yeasts that did not reveal deviations in their DNA profiles, show that phenotypic characterization may be misleading in wine yeast identification. Because of yeast gross genomic diversity, karyotyping even though it does not seem to be a good discriminative tool, can be useful in determining the stability of wine yeasts. Restriction analysis of mitochondrial DNA appears to be a more sensitive method allowing for an early detection of genotypic changes in yeasts. Thus, if both of these methods are applied, it is possible to conduct the quick routine assessment of wine yeast stability in pure culture collections depositing industrial strains.     

An optimized procedure for the enological selection of non-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces</Emphasis> starter cultures

The apiculate yeasts are the species predominating the first stage of grape must alcoholic fermentation and are important for the production of desired volatile compounds. The aim of the present investigation was to establish a protocol for the enological selection of non-Saccharomyces strains directly isolated from a natural must fermentation during the tumultuous phase. At this scope, fifty Hanseniaspora uvarum isolates were characterized at strain level by employing a new combined PCR-based approach. One isolate representative of each identified strain was used in fermentation assays to assess strain-specific enological properties. The chemical analysis indicated that all the analyzed strains were low producers of acetic acid and hydrogen sulphide, whereas they showed fructophilic character and high glycerol production. Analysis of volatile compounds indicated that one strain could positively affect, during the alcoholic fermentation process, the taste and flavour of alcoholic beverages. The statistical evaluation of obtained results indicated that the selected autochthonous H. uvarum strain possessed physiological and technological properties which satisfy the criteria indicated for non-Saccharomyces wine yeasts selection. Our data suggest that the described protocol could be advantageously applied for the selection of non-Saccharomyces strains suitable for the formulation of mixed or sequential starters together with Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Truth in wine yeast

Evolutionary history and early association with anthropogenic environments have made Saccharomyces cerevisiae the quintessential wine yeast. This species typically dominates any spontaneous wine fermentation and, until recently, virtually all commercially available wine starters belonged to this species. The Crabtree effect, and the ability to grow under fully anaerobic conditions, contribute decisively to their dominance in this environment. But not all strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are equally suitable as starter cultures. In this article, we review the physiological and genetic characteristics of S. cerevisiae wine strains, as well as the biotic and abiotic factors that have shaped them through evolution. Limited genetic diversity of this group of yeasts could be a constraint to solving the new challenges of oenology. However, research in this field has for many years been providing tools to increase this diversity, from genetic engineering and classical genetic tools to the inclusion of other yeast species in the catalogues of wine yeasts. On occasion, these less conventional species may contribute to the generation of interspecific hybrids with S. cerevisiae. Thus, our knowledge about wine strains of S. cerevisiae and other wine yeasts is constantly expanding. Over the last decades, wine yeast research has been a pillar for the modernisation of oenology, and we can be confident that yeast biotechnology will keep contributing to solving any challenges, such as climate change, that we may face in the future.     

Molecular analysis of red wine yeast diversity in the Ribera del Duero D.O. (Spain) area

Molecular characterization of wine yeast population during spontaneous fermentation in biodynamic wines from Ribera del Duero D.O. located at northern plateau of Spain has been carried out during two consecutive years. A total of 829 yeast strains were isolated from the samples and characterized by electrophoretic karyotype. The results show the presence of three population of yeast differentiated by their electrophoretic karyotypes, (1) non-Saccharomyces yeast dominant in the initial phase of the fermentations (NS); (2) Saccharomyces bayanus var uvarum detected mainly mid-way through the fermentation process at 20–25 °C; and (3) Saccharomyces cerevisiae which remained dominant until the end of the fermentation. This is the first study showing the population dynamic of S. bayanus var. uvarum in red wines produced in Ribera del Duero that could represent an important source of autochthonous wine yeasts with novel oenological properties.     

Conversion of lignins from solid parts of grapes during alcoholic fermentation

Conversion of lignins contained in solid parts of Rkatsiteli grapes (crests, seeds, and skin) during alcoholic fermentation by wine yeast in Reader’s medium was studied. Various species of wine yeast were used:Saccharomyces oviformis, S. vini Kakhuri 42,S. chodati Teliani 79, andS. uvarum Tsinandali 77. We found that lignins from solid parts of grapes are partially decomposed during alcoholic fermentation, which releases low-molecular-weight aromatic compounds into the medium. A peculiar feature of lignin decomposition during alcoholic fermentation is the formation of reduction products.     

A breeding strategy to harness flavor diversity of Saccharomyces interspecific hybrids and minimize hydrogen sulfide production

Industrial food-grade yeast strains are selected for traits that enhance their application in quality production processes. Wine yeasts are required to survive in the harsh environment of fermenting grape must, while at the same time contributing to wine quality by producing desirable aromas and flavors. For this reason, there are hundreds of wine yeasts available, exhibiting characteristics that make them suitable for different fermentation conditions and winemaking practices. As wine styles evolve and technical winemaking requirements change, however, it becomes necessary to improve existing strains. This becomes a laborious and costly process when the targets for improvement involve flavor compound production. Here, we demonstrate a new approach harnessing preexisting industrial yeast strains that carry desirable flavor phenotypes - low hydrogen sulfide (H(2) S) production and high ester production. A low-H(2) S Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain previously generated by chemical mutagenesis was hybridized independently with two ester-producing natural interspecies hybrids of S.?cerevisiae and Saccharomyces kudriavzevii. Deficiencies in sporulation frequency and spore viability were overcome through use of complementary selectable traits, allowing successful isolation of several novel hybrids exhibiting both desired traits in a single round of selection.     

Redox Interactions between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces uvarum in Mixed Culture under Enological Conditions

Wine yeast starters that contain a mixture of different industrial yeasts with various properties may soon be introduced to the market. The mechanisms underlying the interactions between the different strains in the starter during alcoholic fermentation have never been investigated. We identified and investigated some of these interactions in a mixed culture containing two yeast strains grown under enological conditions. The inoculum contained the same amount (each) of a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a natural hybrid strain of S. cerevisiae and Saccharomyces uvarum. We identified interactions that affected biomass, by-product formation, and fermentation kinetics, and compared the redox ratios of monocultures of each strain with that of the mixed culture. The redox status of the mixed culture differed from that of the two monocultures, showing that the interactions between the yeast strains involved the diffusion of metabolite(s) within the mixed culture. Since acetaldehyde is a potential effector of fermentation, we investigated the kinetics of acetaldehyde production by the different cultures. The S. cerevisiae-S. uvarum hybrid strain produced large amounts of acetaldehyde for which the S. cerevisiae strain acted as a receiving strain in the mixed culture. Since yeast response to acetaldehyde involves the same mechanisms that participate in the response to other forms of stress, the acetaldehyde exchange between the two strains could play an important role in inhibiting some yeast strains and allowing the growth of others. Such interactions could be of particular importance in understanding the ecology of the colonization of complex fermentation media by S. cerevisiae.     

商业酵母在不同品种葡萄酒工业化生产中的定殖差异

[背景]酵母菌在葡萄酒酿造中起到重要的作用,接种商业活性干酵母(active dry yeast,ADY)进行葡萄酒酿造在国内较为普遍,然而商业酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)对我国本土酵母菌资源的影响及二者竞争关系的相关报道不多.[目的]比较商业酿酒酵母在不同品种葡萄酒工业化生产中的定殖差...     

Identification of indigenous yeast flora isolated from the five winegrape varieties harvested in Xiangning,China

Inoculated fermentation by selected indigenous yeast strains from a specific location could provide the wine with unique regional sensory characteristics. The identification and differentiation of local yeasts are the first step to understand the function of yeasts and develop a better strain-selection program for winemaking. The indigenous yeasts in five grape varieties, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan, and Merlot cultivated in Xiangning, Shanxi, China were investigated. Eight species of seven genera including Aureobasidium pullulans, Candida zemplinina, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Hanseniaspora occidentalis, Issatchenkia terricola, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were identified using Wallerstein Laboratory Nutrient medium with sequencing of the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain. H. uvarum and S. cerevisiae were the predominant species, while most non-Saccharomyces species were present in the whole fermentation process at different levels among the grape varieties. The genotypes of S. cerevisiae from each microvinification were determined by using interdelta sequence analysis. The 102 isolates showed eight different genotypes, and genotype III was the predominant genotype found. The distribution of S. cerevisiae strains during the fermentation of Marselan was also studied. Six genotypes were observed among the 92 strains with different genotypes of competitiveness at different sampling stages. Genotype V demonstrated the potential for organizing starter strains and avoiding inefficient fermentation. In general, this study explored the yeast species in the grapes grown in Xiangning County and provided important information of relationship of local yeast diversity and its regional wine sensory characteristics.     

接种发酵和自然发酵中酿酒酵母菌株多样性比较

[目的]探究自然发酵和接种发酵两种发酵方式,对霞多丽葡萄发酵中酵母菌种多样性和酿酒酵母菌株遗传多样性的影响.[方法]以霞多丽葡萄为原料,分别进行自然发酵和接种不同酿酒酵母菌株(NXU 17-26、UCD522和UCD2610)的发酵,利用26S rDNA D1/D2区序列分析和Interdelta指纹图谱技术分别进行酵...     

History,lineage and phenotypic differentiation of sake yeast

ABSTRACT

Sake yeast was first isolated as a single yeast strain, Saccharomyces sake, during the Meiji era. Yeast strains suitable for sake fermentation were subsequently isolated from sake brewers and distributed as Kyokai yeast strains. Sake yeast strains that produce characteristic flavors have been bred in response to various market demands and individual preferences. Interestingly, both genetic and morphological studies have indicated that sake yeast used during the Meiji era differs from new sake yeasts derived from Kyokai Strain No. 7 lineage. Here, we discuss the history of sake yeast breeding, from the discovery of sake yeast to the present day, to highlight the achievements of great Japanese scientists and engineers.     

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism of the yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces bayanus</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">uvarum</Emphasis>

Genetic relationships among forty-one strains of Saccharomyces bayanus var. uvarum isolated in different wine regions of Europe and four wild isolates were investigated by restriction analysis (RPLP) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) with four restriction endonucleases, AluI, DdeI, HinfI and RsaI. No clear correlation between origin and source of isolation of S. bayanus var. uvarum strains and their mtDNA restriction profiles was found. On the whole, the mtDNA of S. bayanus var. uvarum is much less polymorphic than that of S. cerevisiae. This observation is in good agreement with results obtained by electrophoretic karyotyping. Unlike wine S. cerevisiae, strains of S. bayanus var. uvarum display a low level of chromosome length polymorphism.     

Saccharomyces bayanus var.uvarum comb, nov., a new variety established by genetic analysis

Partial genetic isolation of twoSaccharomyces bayanus varieties, 5.bayanus var.bayanus andS. bayanus var.uvarum comb, nov., was established by hybridological analysis. The hybrids of these two varieties were semisterile: their ascospores were characterized by low survival. Earlier, the new variety was described as a group of cryophilic wine yeast cultivars capable of fermenting melibiose.     

Yeast species associated with spontaneous wine fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon from Ningxia,China

The eastern base of the Helan Mountains in Ningxia is a fast developing wine production area in China. Of urgent necessity to the Ningxia wine industry is to be able to produce wines with typical regional characteristics. It is well known that autochthonous yeast species and strains play an important role in introducing local character or terroir into the winemaking practice. The aim of this study was to investigate indigenous yeast species diversity and preselect desirable S. cerevisiae strains in the Ningxia region. Four hundred wine-related yeast colonies were isolated from Cabernet Sauvignon musts in three vineyards at the beginning, middle and final stages of spontaneous fermentations. Yeast species were first classified according to colony morphologies on Wallerstein Laboratory Nutrient Agar (WL) and confirmed by sequencing of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene. Nine unique colony morphology types were profiled on WL agar and three new types were found. After sequence analysis of representative colonies from each WL group, nine yeast species were identified, namely H. uvarum, H. occidentalis, M. pulcherrima, C. zemplinina, H. vineae, I. orientalis, Z. bailii, P. kluyveri and S. cerevisiae. The non-Saccharomyces yeasts appeared mainly in the early stage of the fermentation while H. uvarum, I. orientalis and P. kluyveri were able to remain in the final stage. Fourty-six S. cerevisiae isolates were preselected according to physiological characteristics and twelve strains with valuable fermentation properties were obtained.     

Pure and Mixed Genetic Lines of Saccharomyces bayanus and Saccharomyces pastorianus and Their Contribution to the Lager Brewing Strain Genome

The yeast species Saccharomyces bayanus and Saccharomyces pastorianus are of industrial importance since they are involved in the production process of common beverages such as wine and lager beer; however, they contain strains whose variability has been neither fully investigated nor exploited in genetic improvement programs. We evaluated this variability by using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 48 genes and partial sequences of 16. Within these two species, we identified “pure” strains containing a single type of genome and “hybrid” strains that contained portions of the genomes from the “pure” lines, as well as alleles termed “Lager” that represent a third genome commonly associated with lager brewing strains. The two pure lines represent S. uvarum and S. bayanus, the latter a novel group of strains that may be of use in strain improvement programs. Hybrid lines identified include (i) S. cerevisiae/S. bayanus/Lager, (ii) S. bayanus/S. uvarum/Lager, and (iii) S. cerevisiae/S. bayanus/S. uvarum/Lager. The genome of the lager strains may have resulted from chromosomal loss, replacement, or rearrangement within the hybrid genetic lines. This study identifies brewing strains that could be used as novel genetic sources in strain improvement programs and provides data that can be used to generate a model of how naturally occurring and industrial hybrid strains may have evolved.     

贺兰山东麓优良本土酿酒酵母筛选及发酵特性分析

【背景】商业酵母的使用造成葡萄酒同质化问题严重,发掘优良本土酿酒酵母具有十分重要的意义。【目的】从168株宁夏本土酿酒酵母菌株中筛选出性能优良、具有出色葡萄酒发酵能力的菌株。【方法】基于杜氏管发酵试验和乙醇、高糖等耐受性试验分析产H2S能力及生长曲线测定的方法,筛选出发酵力好、耐受性强、低产H2S的本土酿酒酵母进行赤霞珠葡萄酒发酵试验,测定葡萄酒样基础理化指标、酚类物质和挥发性成分,探究筛选出的酿酒酵母发酵特性。【结果】初步筛选出发酵快速,能适应13%乙醇、350 g/L葡萄糖、250 mg/L SO2、pH 1.0的生存环境且低产H2S的4株本土酿酒酵母YC-E8、QTX-D17、QTX-D7、YQY-E18。菌株YC-E8产甘油能力强,所发酵酒样香气与商业酵母XR、F33最为接近,适用于赤霞珠葡萄酒的发酵。菌株QTX-D17发酵酒样中酒精、单宁、总酚和花色苷含量最高,表现出本土酿酒酵母优良的发酵特性。菌株QTX-D7所发酵酒样香气中乙酸乙酯、辛酸乙酯、1-壬醇等物质含量较高,赋予了葡萄酒香蕉味、苹果味、菠萝味、椰子味等愉悦花果香。【结论】最终筛选出3株优良本土酿酒酵母QTX-D17...     

The effect of Debina grapevine indigenous yeast strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metschnikowia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces</Emphasis> on wine flavour

The spontaneous alcoholic fermentation of grape must is a complex microbiological process involving a large number of various yeast species, to which the flavour of every traditional wine is largely attributed. Whilst Saccharomyces cerevisiae is primarily responsible for the conversion of sugar to alcohol, the activities of various non-Saccharomyces species enhance wine flavour. In this study, indigenous yeast strains belonging to Metschnikowia pulcherrima var. zitsae as well as Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated and characterized from Debina must (Zitsa, Epirus, Greece). In addition, these strains were examined for their effect on the outcome of the wine fermentation process when used sequentially as starter cultures. The resulting wine, as analyzed over three consecutive years, was observed to possess a richer, more aromatic bouquet than wine from a commercial starter culture. These results emphasize the potential of employing indigenous yeast strains for the production of traditional wines with improved flavour.     

Analysis of temperature‐mediated changes in the wine yeast Saccharomyces bayanus var uvarum. An oenological study of how the protein content influences wine quality

Saccharomyces bayanus var. uvarum plays an important role in the fermentation of red wine from the D.O. Ribera del Duero. This is due to the special organoleptic taste that this yeast gives the wines and their ability to ferment at low temperature. To determine the molecular factors involved in the fermentation process at low temperature, a differential proteomic approach was performed by using 2D‐DIGE, comparing, qualitatively and quantitatively, the profiles obtained at 13 and 25°C. A total of 152 protein spots were identified. We detected proteins upregulated at 13°C that were shown to be related to temperature stress, the production of aromatic compounds involved in the metabolism of amino acids, and the production of fusel alcohols and their derivatives, each of which is directly related to the quality of the wines. To check the temperature effects, an aromatic analysis by GC–MS was performed. The proteomic and “aromatomic” results are discussed in relation to the oenological properties of S. bayanus var. uvarum.