Metabarcoding analysis reveals an interaction among distinct groups of bacteria associated with three different varietals of grapes used for wine production in Brazil.

Grapes are globally popular with wine production being one of the most well-known uses of grapes worldwide. Brazil has a growing wine industry, and the Serra Gaúcha region is a significant contributor to the country's wine production. Nonetheless, other states are increasing their relevance in this segment. Environmental factors and the soil microbiome (bacteria and fungi) heavily influence grape quality, shaping the crucial "terroir" for wines. Here, soil quality was assessed through nutrient analysis and bacteria microbial diversity, which could significantly impact grape health and final wine attributes. Soil samples from São Paulo's vineyards, focusing on Syrah, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon, underwent chemical and microbial analysis via 16S rRNA metabarcoding and highlighted significant differences in soil composition between vineyards. Statistical analyses including PCA and CAP showcased region-based separation and intricate associations between microbiota, region, and grape variety. Correlation analysis pinpointed microbial genera linked to specific soil nutrients. Random Forest analysis identified abundant bacterial genera per grape variety and the Network analysis revealed varied co-occurrence patterns, with Cabernet Sauvignon exhibiting complex microbial interactions. This study unveils complex relationships between soil microbiota, nutrients, and diverse grape varieties in distinct vineyard regions. Understanding how these specific microorganisms are associated with grapes can improve vineyard management, grape quality, and wine production. It can also potentially optimize soil health, bolster grapevine resilience against pests and diseases, and contribute to the unique character of wines known as terroir.

Influence of physical and chemical characteristics of wine grapes on the incidence of Penicillium and Aspergillus fungi in grapes and ochratoxin A in wines.

The incidence of filamentous fungi and toxin levels in grapes and wines varies depending on the variety of grapes, the wine region, agricultural practices, weather conditions, the harvest and the winemaking process. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the diversity of Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi isolated from wine grapes of the semi-arid tropical region of Brazil, evaluate the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in the experimental wine and verify if there is a correlation between occurrence of these fungi and the physicochemical characteristics of the wine grapes grown in the region. For the isolation of fungi we used the direct plating technique. The presence of OTA in the experimental wine was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. The species found were Aspergillus niger, A. carbonarius, A. aculeatus, A. niger Aggregate, A. flavus, A. sojae, Penicillium sclerotiorum, P. citrinum, P. glabrum, P. decumbens, P. solitum and P. implicatum. All isolates of A. carbonarius were OTA producers and all P. citrinum were citrinin producers. The highest concentration of OTA was found in red wine (0.29µg/L). All species identified in this study, except A. flavus, showed a positive correlation with at least one physicochemical parameter assessed, highlighting the pectin content, total sugar, total acidity and phenolic compounds.

A influência de enzimas pectinolíticas e cultivares de videira, na formação de álcoois superiores (óleo fusel), durante a fermentação de mostos / The pectic enzymes influence and to cultivate of grapevine, in the formation of higher alcohols (oil fusel), during the fermentation

O uso de enzimas pectinolíticas em vinificação está amplamente difundido por trazer uma série de benefícios à indústria vinícola. Os mostos e vinhos tratados com essas enzimas sofrem efeitos em alguns parâmetros e em seus componentes químicos. Três cultivares de uva foram tratadas com enzimas pectinolíticas em duas concentrações: uma com a concentração recomendada pelo fabricante e outra com o dobro da recomendação. A influência da adição de enzimas pectinolíticas e cultivares de uva foram consideradas em relação à formação dos álcoois superiores durante a fermentação. Foram realizadas análises cromatográficas para a determinação dos álcoois superiores. Os dois álcoois amílicos e a soma total de álcoois superiores da cv. Isabel apresentaram teores inferiores aos normalmente encontrados para esta cultivar; porém, todos os álcoois tiveram seus teores mais elevados nas vinificações com o uso de enzimas. Na cv. Cabernet Sauvignon, que se caracteriza por apresentar teores de álcoois superiores elevados, também houve um aumento quando sofreu a adição de enzimas. A cv. Niágara apresentou teores elevados de álcoois superiores, sem, no entanto, haver aumento em função do uso de enzimas. Assim, o tratamento enzimático afetou os níveis de álcoois superiores principalmente nas cultivares tintas estudadas. Finalmente, os teores de álcoois superiores foram significativamente diferentes entre as cultivares.(AU)

The use of pectic enzymes is a common process used in the winemaking industry all over the world. The mustsand wines treated with these enzymes presented some modifications in the chemical components and in some parameters. In this work three grape varieties were treated with two different pectic enzymes concentrations: one with the amount recommended by the producer and another with the double this amount. The influence of the enzyme and the grape varieties as related to the higher alcohols formation during fermentation was studied. Higher alcohols were determined by GC, gas chromatography. The two amyl alcohols and the sum of the total higher alcohols in the Isabella variety were present in the wine in a lower amount than those reported before; however, in this variety, all the individual analyzed higher alcohols were presented in higher amounts in the wines treated with the enzyme. The same behavior happened with Cabernet 5auvignon, characterized by high concentrations of higher alcohols, in which there were an increase in these alcohols with the enzyme treatment. The exception happened with Niagara were the enzyme treatment did not increase the amount of higher alcohols. 50, one can say that the enzyme treatment had an influence in the red varieties studied. Finally, the amount of higher alcohols were significantly different in the grape varieties studied. (AU)