Abstract
Fermentative aromas (higher alcohols, esters) have a major role in the organoleptic profile of young wines. Their production depends on both the used yeast strain and environmental parameters. To better understand the role of three key factors (temperature, nitrogen, lipids) on the synthesis of fermentative aromas, we compared an aromatic evolved strain Affinity™ ECA5 and its parent strain Lalvin EC1118®. First, the combined effects of these three parameters were investigated through an experimental Box-Behnken design. Nitrogen greatly impacted the majority of the volatile compounds but differently depending on the targeted molecule and in interaction with the other factors. Overall, both strains showed similar responses to changes in fermentation conditions but with different intensities. To improve the understanding of the involved mechanism, particularly in the study of nitrogen / lipids interaction, several approaches were combined. A precise on-line monitoring of the production kinetics of fermentative aromas coupled with transcriptomic analysis revealed differences between the two strains in the chronology of aroma synthesis, suggesting changes in the regulation of their production. In particular, the conversion yield between a higher alcohol and its acetate ester differed greatly between the two strains. We have shown that this difference was due to a different lipid management by the strain Affinity™ ECA5. Finally, a quantitative approach based on the isotopic filiation of 13C labelled nitrogen sources was performed. This study confirms the key role of acetyl-CoA in a differential management of α-ketoacid pool responsible for the overproduction of higher alcohols by Affinity ™ ECA5.Overall, this project identified the most effective parameters to guide the fermentative metabolism toward the production of aromas and to better understand mechanisms involved. It also better characterized the metabolism of the evolved strain Affinity™ ECA5. These results are crucial to improve the management of nutrition in wine fermentation.