The Genus <i>Metschnikowia</i> in Enology

• Main Authors: Javier Vicente, Javier Ruiz, Ignacio Belda, Iván Benito-Vázquez, Domingo Marquina, Fernando Calderón, Antonio Santos, Santiago Benito
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: non-Saccharomyces; Metschnikowia; M. pulcherrima; M. viticola; M. fructicola; wine flavor
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/8/7/1038

Over the last decade, several non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> species have been used as an alternative yeast for producing wines with sensorial properties that are distinctive in comparison to those produced using only <i>Saccharomyces</i> <i>cerevisiae</i> as the classical inoculum. Among the non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> wine yeasts<i>, Metschnikowia</i> is one of the most investigated genera due to its widespread occurrence and its impact in winemaking, and it has been found in grapevine phyllospheres, fruit flies, grapes, and wine fermentations as being part of the resident microbiota of wineries and wine-making equipment. The versatility that allows some <i>Metschnikowia</i> species to be used for winemaking relies on an ability to grow in combination with other yeast species, such as <i>S. cerevisiae</i>, during the first stages of wine fermentation, thereby modulating the synthesis of secondary metabolites during fermentation in order to improve the sensory profile of the wine. <i>Metschnikowia </i>exerts a moderate fermentation power, some interesting enzymatic activities involving aromatic and color precursors, and potential antimicrobial activity against spoilage yeasts and fungi, resulting in this yeast being considered an interesting tool for use in the improvement of wine quality. The abovementioned properties have mostly been determined from studies on <i>Metschnikowia pulcherrima</i> wine strains. However, <i>M. fructicola</i> and <i>M. viticola</i> have also recently been studied for winemaking purposes.