Effects of mediums on fermentation behaviour and aroma composition in pure and mixed culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with Torulaspora delbrueckii

The nutrient status and composition in mediums have a significant effect on yeast metabolism and phenotypic characteristics in wine fermentation. In this study, the effects of three frequently used mediums, including synthetic grape juice (SGJ), grape juice without grape pericarp and seeds (GJ) and grape must with grape pericarp and seeds (GMPS), on yeast fermentation behaviour and aroma compounds produced by pure and mixed culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae T73 with Torulaspora delbrueckii TD20 were investigated after alcoholic fermentation. The results showed that high fermentation activities and cell population were always found in GJ medium irrespective of inoculated approach. More esters and higher alcohols were produced in GMPS medium fermented by pure S. cerevisiae, while SGJ medium had increased levels of fatty acids. Consistent with previous literatures, the mixed fermentation of T. delbrueckii and S. cerevisiae produced more acetate esters and fatty acids than the pure culture of S. cerevisiae, while this enological trait was only found in SGJ and GJ, not in GMPS. Our results highlighted that more attention should be paid to the fermentation medium when evaluating the enological and aromatic properties of selected yeasts used in industrial winemaking. In this regard, the combined use of GJ and GMPS medium might be a suitable choice.

Automated summary

The nutrient status and composition in mediums play a significant role in affecting yeast metabolism and phenotypic characteristics during wine fermentation. The choice of medium can impact fermentation behavior, aroma compound production, and cell population of yeast, with different mediums yielding varying levels of esters, alcohols, and fatty acids. Additionally, the mixed fermentation of different yeast strains can result in unique aroma profiles, suggesting the importance of considering the fermentation medium in evaluating yeast performance in winemaking.