Impact of Co-Inoculation Patterns of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> on Cider Quality and Aromatic Profiles

Co-inoculation with <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> and non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts is an effective method to improve the flavor of cider. <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i>, known for its high ester production capacity, was evaluated in combination with <i>...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yue Wei, Jianguo Mou, Haoran Zhang, Aiying Gao, Yi Qin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1620
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Summary:Co-inoculation with <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> and non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts is an effective method to improve the flavor of cider. <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i>, known for its high ester production capacity, was evaluated in combination with <i>S. cerevisiae</i> to identify optimal mixed yeast inoculants for improved sensory characteristics. Three <i>W. anomalus</i> strains and three inoculation ratio attributes (1:5, 1:1, and 5:1) were tested to assess their impact on the physicochemical indices and sensory attributes of cider. All the strains used as starters developed fermentation-producing ciders with alcoholic degrees between 6.22 and 6.36 (% <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>). Co-inoculation with <i>W. anomalus</i> resulted in significantly higher ester, volatile acid, and higher alcohol levels compared to those of <i>S. cerevisiae</i> monocultures, increasing the complexity of fruity and floral aromas. Furthermore, the proportion of <i>W. anomalus</i> strains in the inoculations was positively correlated with increased aromatic esters and higher alcohols. The Sc–Wa (1:5) cider showed the highest contents of ethyl ethanoate and 3-methylbutan-1-ol, contributing to a nail polish-like aroma. Sc–Wa (1:1) yielded a higher aromatic diversity than did Sc–Wa (5:1), suggesting that co-inoculation with a ratio of 1:1 may provide an effective fermentation strategy for cider aroma enhancement. These findings offer valuable insights into how non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts can be effectively applied in cider co-fermentation, providing a foundation for their future use in industrial applications.
ISSN:1420-3049