Unlocking the potential of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Maraština grapes for use as starter cultures in the winemaking process

The emerging trend in winemaking highlights the importance of microbiological terroir, emphasising the use of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as starter cultures. In this study, 117 indigenous S. cerevisiae yeasts were isolated for the first time from spontaneously fermented Maraština mu...

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Main Authors: Ana Boban, Vesna Milanović, Federica Cardinali, Sanja Radman, Andrea Osimani, Lucia Aquilanti, Cristiana Garofalo, Giorgia Rampanti, Irena Budić-Leto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Applied Food Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772502225004500
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author Ana Boban
Vesna Milanović
Federica Cardinali
Sanja Radman
Andrea Osimani
Lucia Aquilanti
Cristiana Garofalo
Giorgia Rampanti
Irena Budić-Leto
author_facet Ana Boban
Vesna Milanović
Federica Cardinali
Sanja Radman
Andrea Osimani
Lucia Aquilanti
Cristiana Garofalo
Giorgia Rampanti
Irena Budić-Leto
author_sort Ana Boban
collection DOAJ
description The emerging trend in winemaking highlights the importance of microbiological terroir, emphasising the use of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as starter cultures. In this study, 117 indigenous S. cerevisiae yeasts were isolated for the first time from spontaneously fermented Maraština musts collected from vineyards within three subregions of the Dalmatian winegrowing region (Croatia). The isolates were identified at a molecular level and evaluated for oenological traits. Compared to isolates from other regions, those from Central and Southern Dalmatia (CSD) exhibited high tolerance to sulfur dioxide (up to 250 mg/L) and osmotic stress (up to 50% glucose), low hydrogen sulphide and acetic acid production, and occasional protease activity. In contrast, isolates from Northern Dalmatia (ND) exhibited higher ethanol tolerance (up to 14%) but lower enzymatic activity and moderate sulfur dioxide resistance. The 11 best-performing isolates selected for further evaluation were glucophilic and completed fermentation within 15 days. The isolates from CSD produced higher ethanol concentrations (up to 12.59%) than those from other regions. Wines fermented with indigenous strains showed reduced total acidity and malic acid concentrations compared to those fermented with commercial yeast EC 1118. Isolates from CSD, in particular, significantly enhanced the aromatic complexity of the wines, primarily through increased ester production, whereas isolates Z-1, O-2, and V-7 from ND vineyards excelled in producing higher alcohols. These findings demonstrate the regional identity of indigenous S. cerevisiae strains and their potential to enhance wine typicity. This study links native yeast biodiversity with subregional traits, supporting their use in terroir-driven winemaking.
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spelling doaj-art-e991d5f177e844aea3f9e57d86cdf7612025-08-20T03:24:59ZengElsevierApplied Food Research2772-50222025-12-015210114510.1016/j.afres.2025.101145Unlocking the potential of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Maraština grapes for use as starter cultures in the winemaking processAna Boban0Vesna Milanović1Federica Cardinali2Sanja Radman3Andrea Osimani4Lucia Aquilanti5Cristiana Garofalo6Giorgia Rampanti7Irena Budić-Leto8Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, Put Duilova 11, Split 21000, CroatiaDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, Ancona 60131, Italy; Corresponding author.Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, Ancona 60131, ItalyFaculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, Split 21000, CroatiaDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, Ancona 60131, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, Ancona 60131, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, Ancona 60131, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, Ancona 60131, ItalyInstitute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, Put Duilova 11, Split 21000, CroatiaThe emerging trend in winemaking highlights the importance of microbiological terroir, emphasising the use of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as starter cultures. In this study, 117 indigenous S. cerevisiae yeasts were isolated for the first time from spontaneously fermented Maraština musts collected from vineyards within three subregions of the Dalmatian winegrowing region (Croatia). The isolates were identified at a molecular level and evaluated for oenological traits. Compared to isolates from other regions, those from Central and Southern Dalmatia (CSD) exhibited high tolerance to sulfur dioxide (up to 250 mg/L) and osmotic stress (up to 50% glucose), low hydrogen sulphide and acetic acid production, and occasional protease activity. In contrast, isolates from Northern Dalmatia (ND) exhibited higher ethanol tolerance (up to 14%) but lower enzymatic activity and moderate sulfur dioxide resistance. The 11 best-performing isolates selected for further evaluation were glucophilic and completed fermentation within 15 days. The isolates from CSD produced higher ethanol concentrations (up to 12.59%) than those from other regions. Wines fermented with indigenous strains showed reduced total acidity and malic acid concentrations compared to those fermented with commercial yeast EC 1118. Isolates from CSD, in particular, significantly enhanced the aromatic complexity of the wines, primarily through increased ester production, whereas isolates Z-1, O-2, and V-7 from ND vineyards excelled in producing higher alcohols. These findings demonstrate the regional identity of indigenous S. cerevisiae strains and their potential to enhance wine typicity. This study links native yeast biodiversity with subregional traits, supporting their use in terroir-driven winemaking.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772502225004500Saccharomyces cerevisiaeDalmatiaMaraštinaOenological characteristicsStarter culturesVolatilome
spellingShingle Ana Boban
Vesna Milanović
Federica Cardinali
Sanja Radman
Andrea Osimani
Lucia Aquilanti
Cristiana Garofalo
Giorgia Rampanti
Irena Budić-Leto
Unlocking the potential of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Maraština grapes for use as starter cultures in the winemaking process
Applied Food Research
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Dalmatia
Maraština
Oenological characteristics
Starter cultures
Volatilome
title Unlocking the potential of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Maraština grapes for use as starter cultures in the winemaking process
title_full Unlocking the potential of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Maraština grapes for use as starter cultures in the winemaking process
title_fullStr Unlocking the potential of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Maraština grapes for use as starter cultures in the winemaking process
title_full_unstemmed Unlocking the potential of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Maraština grapes for use as starter cultures in the winemaking process
title_short Unlocking the potential of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Maraština grapes for use as starter cultures in the winemaking process
title_sort unlocking the potential of indigenous saccharomyces cerevisiae from marastina grapes for use as starter cultures in the winemaking process
topic Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Dalmatia
Maraština
Oenological characteristics
Starter cultures
Volatilome
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772502225004500
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