How Different Fermentation Type Affects Volatile Composition of Plum Jerkums

Quality of plum jerkum is significantly associated to the profile of volatile compounds. Therefore, we decided to assess the impact of various fermentation types on selected properties of plum jerkums, especially compounds which contribute to the aroma of the finished product. We used the following yeast strains: S. cerevisiae S1, H. uvarum H2, and Ethanol RED (S. cerevisiae). Moreover, we considered spontaneous fermentation. S. cerevisiae and H. uvarum strains were isolated during the fermentation of Čačanska Lepotica or Węgierka Dąbrowicka (plum cultivars), respectively. As for fermentation type, spontaneous fermentation of H. uvarum H2 provided the best results. It could be associated to the fact that plum juices fermented with H. uvarum H2 presented the highest concentration of terpenoids, esters, or some higher alcohols. In the current paper, application of indigenous strains of yeasts resulted in the required oenological characteristics, e.g., highest fermentation efficiency and concentration of ethanol was determined in juices fermented with Ethanol RED (S. cerevisiae) and also with S. cerevisiae S1. Our results suggested that indigenous strains of yeasts present in plums demonstrate great potential for the production of plum jerkums of high quality.