The Monthly Digest – February 2017

Biosynthesis of eight-carbon volatiles from tomato and pepper pomaces by fungi: Trichoderma atroviride and Aspergillus sojae

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using tomato and red pepper pomaces for the production eight-carbon volatiles by Trichoderma atroviride and Aspergillus sojae. The fermentation of tomato and pepper pomace-based media by both moulds was conducted in shake flasks and bioreactors. Microbial growth behaviours and fermentation abilities of T. atroviride and A. sojae under both fermentation conditions were followed by microbial counting. The production of flavours from tomato and pepper pomaces by fungal metabolism was determined by gas chromatography–olfactometry, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and sensory analysis. The results showed that T. atroviride grew faster than A. sojae, and the survival of T. atroviride in the tomato pomace was longer than that of A. sojae. However, T. atroviride grew slower than A. sojae in the pepper pomace. Eight-carbon flavour compounds, including (Z)-1,5-octadien-3-ol, 1-octen-3-ol, (E)-2-octenal and (E)-2-octenol, were produced by T. atroviride and A. sojae from the tomato and pepper pomaces. The highest production levels (265.55 ± 2.79 and 187.47 ± 0.92 μg kg−1) were observed for 1-octen-3-ol in the tomato fermentation by T. atroviride and A. sojae, respectively. The relationships between volatile compounds and their flavour characteristics in tomato and pepper pomaces were analysed using principal component analysis.

Güneser O and Yüceer YK (2017) Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering (in press)

The role of immobilized rennet on carbon cloth in flavor development during ripening of Gouda cheese

Rennet-free Gouda (RFG) cheese was prepared to investigate the influence of rennet on the non-volatile and volatile profiles of cheese and was characterized by HPLC and GC/MS analyses. Chymosin, a major protease in rennet, was immobilized onto oxidized and chemically modified carbon cloth. The chymosin immobilization efficiency was 60.4%, and the milk-clotting activity used as an index of the stability of the immobilized chymosin decreased by around 20% in 2 weeks. However, the activity was maintained at 70–80% from 2 weeks to 32 weeks and was more stable than that of chymosin solution alone. Non-volatile (organic acids) and volatile profiles of the RFG cheese and rennet-containing normal Gouda cheese were not significantly different during ripening with a few exceptions. Therefore, it can be concluded that cheese flavor is developed by lactic acid fermentation, irrespective of the presence of rennet.

Jeong SH et al (2016) Food Science and Biotechnology 25:1561-1567

Flavor improvement of fermented soy sauce by extrusion as soybean meal pretreatment

Flavor, an important index of soy sauce quality, includes odor and taste which mainly depend on volatile compounds and amino acids. Soy sauce made from extruded mixture of soy meal and flour (EMSF) was employed in fermentation to improve the flavor of final product. Combination of Headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and GC-MS was employed to identify the volatile compounds, 40 volatile compounds were identified in soy sauce made from EMSF and 24 volatile compounds in soy sauce made form cooked mixture of soy meal and flour (CMSF). Pyrazines and their derivatives occupied one-third of the total content of volatile compounds. Both samples had the same amino acid number, while total content of amino acids and contents of 15 kinds of amino acids in soy sauce made from EMSF were significantly higher than CMSF. Extrusion had the advantage in low cost and capability of continuous processing, extruded mixture of soy meal and flour were used in soy sauce fermentation. Content of amino acids was improved by extrusion, this pretreatment method also increased volatile compounds of soy sauce and produced more desirable flavor and taste soy sauce.

Zhang DJ et al (2017) Journal of Food Processing and Preservation (in press)

Aroma compounds and characteristics of noble-rot wines of chardonnay grapes artificially botrytized in the vineyard

Aroma characteristics and their impact volatile components of noble-rot wines elaborated from artificial botrytized Chardonnay grapes, obtained by spraying Botrytis cinerea suspension in Yuquan vineyard, Ningxia, China, were explored in this work. Dry white wine made from normal-harvested grapes and sweet wine produced from delay-harvested grapes were compared. Wine aromas were analysed by trained sensory panelists, and aroma compounds were determined by SPME-GC-MS. Results indicated that esters, fatty acids, thiols, lactones, volatile phenols and 2-nonanone increased markedly in noble-rot wines. In addition to typical aromas of noble-rot wines, artificial noble-rot wines were found to contain significant cream and dry apricot attributes. Partial Least-Squares Regression models of aroma characteristics against aroma components revealed that non-fermentative odorants were the primary contributor to dry apricot attribute, especially, thiols, C13-norisoprenoids, lactones, terpenols and phenolic acid derivatives, while cream attribute was dependent on both fermentative and non-fermentative volatile components. Chemical compounds studied in the article: 2-nonanone (PubChem: 13187); ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (PubChem: 8434); ethyl isovalerate (PubChem: 7945); α-terpineol (PubChem: 17100); isopentanoic acid (PubChem: 3085367); 3-methyl-3-sulfanyl butanol (PubChem: 520682); 3-sulfanylhexanol (PubChem: 521348); γ-nonalactone (PubChem: 7710); γ-decalactone (PubChem: 12813); phenyl acetic acid (PubChem: 999)

Wang XJ et al (2017) Food Chemistry (in press)

Genetic and phenotypic intraspecific variability of non-Saccharomyces yeasts populations from La Rioja winegrowing region (Spain)

To determine the intraspecific genetic diversity within five non-Saccharomyces yeast species and the diversity in phenotypic characteristic related to their technological properties. Seventy-one non-Saccharomyces yeasts isolated from different fermentations and facilities of the DOCa Rioja (Spain) belonging to five different wine species (Torulaspora delbrueckii, Lachancea thermotolerans, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Zygosaccharomyces bailii and Williopsis pratensis) were subjected to clonal characterization by RAPD-PCR, which evidenced wide diversity between them. They were also submitted to a screening for some oenological traits related to the improvement of the aroma of the wine and yeast development in musts. Strains within the same species showed different enzyme activities, tolerated different levels of SO2 and possessed different killer phenotypes. These characteristics made them adjust better or worse to specific vinification processes or wine quality criteria.

A significant genetic and phenotypic variation within the non-Saccharomyces species studied was found, which makes necessary to carry out a selection process in each one. Williopsis pratensis, a species that has not been thoroughly explored, may deserve further consideration for oenological applications. Due to the wide range of variation within species, the strains adaptation to the SO2 levels in musts has to be taken into account in selection processes.

  1. González-Arenzana et al (2017) Journal of Applied Microbiology 122:378-388
Effect of sequential fermentations and grape cultivars on volatile compounds and sensory profiles of Danish wines

There has been increasing interest in the use of selected non-Saccharomyces yeasts in co-culture with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this work, three non-Saccharomyces yeast strains (Metschnikowia viticola, Metschnikowia fructicola and Hanseniaspora uvarum) indigenously isolated in Denmark, were used in sequential fermentations with S. cerevisiae on three cool-climate grape cultivars Bolero, Rondo and Regent. During the fermentations, the yeast growth was determined as well as key oenological parameters, volatile compounds and sensory properties of finished rosé wines. The different non-Saccharomyces strains and cool-climate grape cultivars produced wines with a distinctive aromatic profile. A total of 67 volatile compounds were identified, including 43 esters, 14 alcohols, 5 acids, 2 ketones, a C13-norisoprenoid, a lactone and a sulphur compound. The use of M. viticola in sequential fermentation with S. cerevisiae resulted in richer berry and fruity flavours in wines. However, the sensory plot showed a more clear separation among wine samples by grape cultivars compared with yeast strains. Knowledge on the influence of indigenous non-Saccharomyces strains and grape cultivars on the flavor generation contributed to producing diverse wines in the cool-climate wine regions.

Liu J et al (2017) Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (in press)

Linking wine lactic acid bacteria diversity with wine aroma and flavour

In the last two decades knowledge on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with wine has increased considerably. Investigations on genetic and biochemistry of species involved in malolactic fermentation, such as Oenococcus oeni and of Lactobacillus have enabled a better understand of their role in aroma modification and microbial stability of wine. In particular, the use of molecular techniques has provided evidence on the high diversity at species and strain level, thus improving the knowledge on wine LAB taxonomy and ecology. These tools demonstrated to also be useful to detect strains with potential desirable or undesirable traits for winemaking purposes. At the same time, advances on the enzymatic properties of wine LAB responsible for the development of wine aroma molecules have been undertaken. Interestingly, it has highlighted the high intraspecific variability of enzymatic activities such as glucosidase, esterase, proteases and those related to citrate metabolism within the wine LAB species. This genetic and biochemistry diversity that characterizes wine LAB populations can generate a wide spectrum of wine sensory outcomes. This review examines some of these interesting aspects as a way to elucidate the link between LAB diversity with wine aroma and flavour. In particular, the correlation between inter- and intra-species diversity and bacterial metabolic traits that affect the organoleptic properties of wines is highlighted with emphasis on the importance of enzymatic potential of bacteria for the selection of starter cultures to control MLF and to enhance wine aroma.

Cappello MS et al (2017) International Journal of Food Microbiology 243 :16-27

Effect of mixed yeast starter on volatile flavor compounds in Chinese rice wine during different brewing stages

The volatile compounds of Chinese rice wine fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae FC 15 and S. cerevisiae BR 30 and their combination (MIX) were investigated. The results showed that the wines fermented with different starters differed mainly in the numbers of alcohols and esters. Furthermore, the amounts of volatile compounds among three starters were also obviously different. After clarification, the loss of esters was greater than that of alcohols and aldehydes, whereas after sterilization, the loss of aldehydes was the greatest. PCA showed diethyl succinate to be the key flavor component. Moreover, short-chain fatty acid ethyl esters were main flavor substances during fermentation, whereas long-chain fatty acid ethyl esters were typical compounds after clarification and sterilization. Analysis of the ratio of higher alcohols to esters showed that BR 30 wine presented a stronger ester aroma than MIX wine, whereas FC 15 wine exhibited an outstanding alcohol flavor. Sensory evaluation indicated that FC 15 wine was intense in alcohol-aroma, whereas BR 30 wine exhibited high levels of cereal-aroma. Furthermore, both MIX and BR 30 wine were highly assessed in continuation and full body mouth-feel. It means that flavor characteristic of Chinese rice wine could be adjust by combination of yeast starters.

Yang Y et al (2017) LWT – Food Science and Technology 78:373-381

A grapevine cytochrome P450 generates the precursor of wine lactone, a key odorant in wine

Monoterpenes are important constituents of the aromas of food and beverages, including wine. Among monoterpenes in wines, wine lactone has the most potent odor. It was proposed to form via acid-catalyzed cyclization of (E)-8-carboxylinalool during wine maturation. It only reaches very low concentrations in wine but its extremely low odor detection threshold makes it an important aroma compound.

Using LC-MS/MS, we show here that the (E)-8-carboxylinalool content in wines correlates with their wine lactone content and estimate the kinetic constant for the very slow formation of wine lactone from (E)-8-carboxylinalool. We show that (E)-8-carboxylinalool is accumulated as a glycoside in grape (Vitis vinifera) berries and that one of the cytochrome P450 enzymes most highly expressed in maturing berries, CYP76F14, efficiently oxidizes linalool to (E)-8-carboxylinalool.

Our analysis of (E)-8-carboxylinalool in Riesling × Gewurztraminer grapevine progeny established that the CYP76F14 gene co-locates with a quantitative trait locus for (E)-8-carboxylinalool content in grape berries.

Our data support the role of CYP76F14 as the major (E)-8-carboxylinalool synthase in grape berries and the role of (E)-8-carboxylinalool as a precursor to wine lactone in wine, providing new insights into wine and grape aroma metabolism, and new methods for food and aroma research and production.

Ilc et al (2017) New Phytologist

Optimization of the production of 1-phenylethanol using enzymes from flowers of tea (Camellia sinensis) plants

1-Phenylethanol (1PE) can be used as a fragrance in food flavoring and cosmetic industries and as an intermediate in the pharmaceutical industry. 1PE can be synthesized from acetophenone, and the cost of 1PE is higher than the cost of acetophenone. Therefore, it is important to establish an effective and low-cost approach for producing 1PE. Our previous studies found that tea (Camellia sinensis) flowers, which are an abundant and waste resource, contained enzymes that could transform acetophenone to 1PE. In the present study, we extracted crude enzymes from tea flowers and optimized the production conditions of 1PE using response surface methodology. The optimized conditions were an extraction pH of 7.0, a reaction pH of 5.3, a reaction temperature of 55 °C, a reaction time of 100 min, a coenzyme NADPH concentration of 3.75 μmol/mL in the reaction assay, and a substrate acetophenone concentration of 1.25 μmol/mL in the reaction assay. The results provide essential information for future industrial 1PE production using plant-derived enzymes.

Dong F et al (2017) Molecules 22(1):131; doi:10.3390/molecules22010131

Bioengineering of the plant culture of Capsicum frutescens with vanillin synthase gene for the production of vanillin

Production of vanillin by bioengineering has gained popularity due to consumer demand toward vanillin produced by biological systems. Natural vanillin from vanilla beans is very expensive to produce compared to its synthetic counterpart. Current bioengineering works mainly involve microbial biotechnology. Therefore, alternative means to the current approaches are constantly being explored. This work describes the use of vanillin synthase (VpVAN), to bioconvert ferulic acid to vanillin in a plant system. The VpVAN enzyme had been shown to directly convert ferulic acid and its glucoside into vanillin and its glucoside, respectively. As the ferulic acid precursor and vanillin were found to be the intermediates in the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway of Capsicum species, this work serves as a proof-of-concept for vanillin production using Capsicum frutescens (C. frutescens or hot chili pepper). The cells of C. frutescens were genetically transformed with a codon optimized VpVAN gene via biolistics. Transformed explants were selected and regenerated into callus. Successful integration of the gene cassette into the plant genome was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to quantify the phenolic compounds detected in the callus tissues. The vanillin content of transformed calli was 0.057% compared to 0.0003% in untransformed calli.

Yang Chee MJ et al (2017) Molecular Biotechnology 59:1-8

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