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Aims To investigate the influence of the water kefir grain inoculum on the characteristics of the water kefir fermentation process. Methods and results Three water kefir fermentation processes were started with different water kefir grain inocula and followed as a function of time regarding microbial species diversity, community dynamics, substrate consumption profile, and metabolite production course. The inoculum determined the water kefir grain growth, the viable counts on the grains, the time until total carbohydrate exhaustion, the final metabolite concentrations, and the microbial species diversity. There were always 2-10 lactic acid bacterial cells for every yeast cell and the majority of these microorganisms was always present on the grains. Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus hilgardii, Lactobacillus nagelii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were always present and may be the key microorganisms during water kefir fermentation. Low water kefir grain growth was associated with small grains with high viable counts of microorganisms, fast fermentation, and low pH values, and was not caused by the absence of exopolysaccharide-producing lactic acid bacteria. Conclusions The water kefir grain inoculum influences the microbial species diversity and characteristics of the fermentation process. A select group of key microorganisms was always present during fermentation. Significance and Impact of the Study This study allows a rational selection of a water kefir grain inoculum. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. more...

Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of genes coding for enzymes of oenological relevance in wine Lactobacillus strains isolated from South African grape and wine samples during the 2001 and 2002 harvest seasons. Methods and Results: A total of 120 wine lactobacilli isolates belonging to Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus hilgardii, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus sakei and Lactobacillus paraplantarum were genetically screened for enzyme-encoding genes using PCR with primers specific for β-glucosidase, protease, esterase, citrate lyase and phenolic acid decarboxylase. The results of PCR screening showed that the Lactobacillus strains possessed different combinations of enzymes and that some strains did not possess any of the enzymes tested. Confirmation analysis with gene sequencing also showed high similarity of genes with those available in GenBank database. Conclusion: In this study, we have demonstrated the existence of genes coding for wine-related enzymes in wine lactobacilli that could potentially hydrolyse wine precursors to positively influence wine aroma. Significance and Impact of the Study: An expansion of knowledge on the genetic diversity of wine-associated lactic acid bacteria will enable the selection of novel malolactic fermentation starter cultures with desired oenological traits for the improvement of the organoleptic quality of the wine, and hence wine aroma. more...

Aims: To investigate the inactivation properties of different classes of phenolic compounds present in wine against two wine isolates of Lactobacillus hilgardii and Pediococcus pentosaceus, and to explore their inactivation mechanism. Methods and Results: After a first screening of the inactivation potency of 21 phenolic compounds (hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, phenolic alcohols, stilbenes, flavan-3-ols and flavonols) at specific concentrations, the survival parameters (MIC and MBC) of the most active compounds were determined. For the L. hilgardii strain, the flavonols morin and kaempferol showed the strongest inactivation (MIC values of one and 5 mg l−1, and MBC values of 7·5 and 50 mg l−1, respectively). For the P. pentosaceus strain, flavonols also showed the strongest inactivation effects, with MIC values between one and 10 mg l−1 and MBC values between 7·5 and 300 mg l−1. Observations by epifluorescence and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the phenolics damaged the cell membrane and promoted the subsequent release of the cytoplasm material into the medium. Conclusions: The antibacterial activity of wine phenolics against L. hilgardii and P. pentosaceus was dependent on the phenolic compound tested, and led not only to bacteria inactivation, but also to the cell death. Significance and Impact of the Study: New information about the inactivation properties of wine lactic acid bacteria by phenolic compounds is presented. It opens up a new area of study for selecting/obtaining wine phenolic preparations with potential applications as a natural alternative to SO2 in winemaking. more...

Aims: The aim of this work was to demonstrate that strains of Lactobacillus may be able to produce putrescine and agmatine from one of the major amino acids present in fruit juices and wine, arginine, and from amino acid-derived ornithine. Methods and Results: Biogenic amines were determined by HPLC. Their production in the culture medium was similar under both microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions. The presence of Mn 2+ had a minimal influence on the results, whereas the addition of pyridoxal phosphate increased amine production 10-fold. Lactobacillus hilgardii X1B, isolated from wine, was able to degrade arginine by two pathways: arginine deiminase and arginine decarboxylase. The isolate was able to produce putrescine from ornithine and from agmatine. Lactobacillus plantarum strains N4 and N8, isolated from orange, utilized arginine via the arginine deiminase system. Only the N4 strain was able to produce putrescine from ornithine. Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that Lact. hilgardii X1B is able to produce the most important biogenic amine found in wine, putrescine, and also agmatine from arginine and ornithine, and that Lactobacillus plantarum, considered to be an innocuous spoilage microorganism in fruit juices, is able to produce amines. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results have significance in relation to food poisoning caused by beverages that have been contaminated with biogenic amines. more...

Aim To clone and characterize two related intracellular esterases from Oenococcus oeni and Lactobacillus hilgardii under wine-like conditions. Methods and Results The published genome sequences for O. oeni and Lact. hilgardii were used to identify, clone and purify putative esterase genes from these species designated EstCOo8 and EstC34, respectively. Both esterases are members of family V of lipolytic enzymes. However, EstC34 contains an SGSLG nucleophilic elbow structural motif instead of the usual GGSLG motif which is conserved in other lactic acid bacteria. Both esterases exhibited greatest specificity for C2–C4 pNP-linked substrates and retained activity under wine-like conditions. EstCOo8 had an optimum temperature, pH, and ethanol concentration of 40°C, 5·5 and 6% (v/v), respectively. Whereas EstC34 had an optimum temperature, pH and ethanol concentration of 50°C, 5·0 and 10% (v/v), respectively. Conclusions Both esterases were stable and retained activity under conditions that would be encountered in wine. They have the potential to reduce short-chain ethyl esters such as ethyl acetate. Significance and Impact of the Study This study provides information that might help improve the performance of LAB during malolactic fermentation in wine in the future, either by strain selection, optimization or direct enzyme addition. more...

Aims: The aim of this work was to study the influence of enological factors on the histidine decarboxylase gene (hdc) expression and on histidine decarboxylase enzyme (HDC) activity in Lactobacillus hilgardii, Pediococcus parvulus and Oenococcus oeni. Methods and Results: Cell extracts and whole cells were used. Glucose, fructose, malic acid and citric acid diminished the hdc expression. Ethanol did not increase hdc expression or activity in cells, but increased HDC activity. Temperature and pH had effect on the activity of HDC but not on hdc expression. Tartaric acid and l-lactic acid, and sulphur dioxide (SO2) had no effect on enzyme synthesis and activity. Bacterial species differ in the relative enzymatic activity but all the factors affected similarly to L. hilgardii, P. parvulus and O. oeni. Conclusions: The hdc gene expression was lowered by glucose, fructose, malic acid, and citric acid, whereas ethanol enhanced the HDC enzyme activity. The conditions that normally occur during malolactic fermentation and later on, could favour histamine production. SO2 could prevent bacterial growth, but does not diminish the HDC enzyme activity. Significance and Impact of the Study: Information on hdc expression and HDC activity can contribute to the prevention of histamine formation during wine production and storage. more...

Aims: To quantify the ability of 136 lactic acid bacteria (LAB), isolated from wine, to produce histamine and to identify the bacteria responsible for histamine production in wine. Methods and Results: A qualitative method based on pH changes in a plate assay was used to detect wine strains capable of producing high levels of histamine. Two quantitative, highly sensitive methods were used, an enzymatic method and HPLC, to quantify the histamine produced by LAB. Finally, an improved PCR test was carried out to detect the presence of histidine decarboxylase gene in these bacteria. The species exhibiting the highest frequency of histamine production is Oenococcus oeni. However, the concentration of histamine produced by this species is lower than that produced by strains belonging to species of Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. A correlation of 100% between presence of histidine decarboxylase gene and histamine production was observed. Wines containing histamine were analysed to isolate and characterize the LAB responsible for spoilage. Conclusions: Oenococcus was able to synthesize low concentrations of histamine in wines, while Pediococcus parvulus and Lactobacillus hilgardii have been detected as spoilage, high histamine-producing bacteria in wines. Significance and Impact of the Study: Information regarding histamine-producing LAB isolated from wines can contribute to prevent histamine formation during winemaking and storage. more...