December 16/Food & Farm Week -- "The characterization of commercial enological inactive dry yeast (IDY) with different applications in wine production has been carried out. This study was based on the yeast's ability to release soluble compounds (high molecular weight nitrogen, free amino nitrogen, peptidic nitrogen, free amino acids, and polysaccharides) into model wines and on its behavior toward the volatility of seven wine aroma compounds," scientists in Madrid, Spain, report.

"Important differences in soluble compounds released into the model wines supplemented with commercial IDY were found, with the free amino acids being among the most released. The volatility of most of the aroma compounds was affected by the addition of IDY preparations at a concentration usually employed during winemaking. The extent of this effect was dependent on the physicochemical characteristics of the aroma compound and on the length of time the IDY preparations remained in contact with the model wines. Whereas shorter contact times (2, 4 and 6 days) mainly promoted a ''salting-out'' effect, longer exposure (9 and 13 days) provoked a retention effect, with the consequent reduction of aroma compounds in the headspace," wrote M.A. Pozobayon and colleagues.

The researchers concluded, "The use of different commercial preparations also promoted different effects toward the aroma compounds that may be at least in part due to differences in their ability to release soluble compounds of yeast origin into the wines."

Pozobayon and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry ("Characterization of Commercial Inactive Dry Yeast Preparations for Enological Use Based on Their Ability To Release Soluble Compounds and Their Behavior toward Aroma Compounds in Model Wines." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2009;57(22):10784-10792).

For more information, contact M.A. Pozobayon, CSIC, Institute Fermentac Ind, C Juan Cierva 3, Madrid 28006, Spain.

From the December 21, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition