Shao-Quan Liu

Inhibition of spoilage yeasts in cheese by killer yeast Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus.

Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus is a known killer toxin-producing yeast. The effects of this yeast as a biopreservative against spoilage yeasts (galactose fermenting) were investigated in cheeses made under laboratory conditions. At an inoculation level of approximately 10(6) CFU/g of cheese, this killer yeast inhibited growth of lactose non-fermenting but galactose-fermenting yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae VL1 inoculated at approximately 10(3) CFU/g; it also inhibited growth of lactose-fermenting and galactose-fermenting yeast Kluvyveromyces marxianus ATCC8640 inoculated at approximately 10(3)-10(4) CFU/g in the cheeses manufactured with galactose-producing starter culture Streptococcus thermophilus. In contrast, the two spoilage yeasts grew to approximately 10(6) CFU/g from the initial cell count of approximately 10(3) CFU/g without the killer yeast. This study indicated that W. saturnus var. saturnus could be an effective biopreservative for cheese spoilage control.

Profile of volatile compounds during papaya juice fermentation by a mixed culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Williopsis saturnus

This study investigated the formation and utilization of volatile compounds during papaya juice fermentation by a mixed culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Williopsis saturnus. Time-course papaya juice fermentations were carried out using pure cultures of S. cerevisiae var. bayanus R2 and W. saturnus var. mrakii NCYC2251 and a mixed culture of the two yeasts at a ratio of 1:1000 (R2:NCYC2251). Changes in S. cerevisiae cell population, Brix, sugar consumption and pH were similar in the mixed culture and in the S. cerevisiae monoculture. There was an early growth arrest of W. saturnus in the mixed culture fermentation. A range of volatile compounds were produced during fermentation including fatty acids, alcohols, aldehydes and esters and some volatile compounds including those initially present in the juice were utilized. The mixed culture fermentation of S. cerevisiae and W. saturnus benefited from the presence of both yeasts, with more esters being produced than the S. cerevisiae monoculture and more alcohols being formed than the W. saturnus monoculture. The study suggests that papaya juice fermentation with a mixed culture of S. cerevisiae and W. saturnus may be able to result in the formation of more complex aroma compounds and higher ethanol level than those using single yeasts.

Enhancement of survival of probiotic and non-probiotic lactic acid bacteria by yeasts in fermented milk under non-refrigerated conditions.

The effects of yeasts on the survival of probiotic and non-probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were studied in fermented milk under non-refrigerated conditions (30 degrees C) with a view to develop ambient-stable fermented milk with live LAB. Five yeasts tested (Saccharomyces bayanus, Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus, Yarrowia lipolytica, Candida kefyr and Kluyveromyces marxianus) enhanced the survival of Lactobacillus bulgaricus (but not Streptococcus thermophilus) in a mixed yoghurt culture in yoghurt by approximately 10(2) to 10(5)-fold. Seven yeasts examined (Candida krusei, Geotrichum candidum, Pichia subpelliculosa, Kloeckera apiculata, Pichia membranifaciens, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Y. lipolytica) improved the survival of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in fermented milk by approximately10(3) to 10(6)-fold. W. saturnus var. saturnus enhanced the survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. rhamnosus (probiotic) and Lactobacillus reuteri by up to 10(6)-fold, but the same yeast failed to improve the survival of Lactobacillus johnsonii (probiotic), S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus in fermented milk. These results provide definitive evidence that yeasts possess stability-enhancing effects on LAB and that the specific effects of yeasts on LAB stability vary with yeasts as well as with LAB. However, the molecular mechanism of such interaction of yeasts with LAB remains to be found.

Chemical composition and sensory profile of pomelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck) juice.

Two cultivars (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck PO 51 and PO 52) of Malaysian pomelo juices were studied by examining their physicochemical properties (i.e. pH, °Brix and titratable acidity), volatile and non-volatile components (sugars and organic acids). Using solvent extraction and headspace solid-phase microextraction, 49 and 65 volatile compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer/flame ionisation detector, respectively. Compared to pink pomelo juice (cultivar PO 52), white pomelo juice (cultivar PO 51) contained lower amount of total volatiles but higher terpenoids. Descriptive sensory evaluation indicated that white pomelo juice was milder in taste especially acidity. Furthermore, principal component analysis and partial least square regression revealed a strong correlation in pomelo juices between their chemical components and some flavour attributes (i.e. acidic, fresh, peely and sweet). Hence, this research enabled a deeper insight into the flavour of this unique citrus fruit.

Assessment of volatile and non-volatile compounds in durian wines fermented with four commercial non-Saccharomyces yeasts

BACKGROUND Chemical compositions of durian wines fermented with Metschnikowia pulcherrima Flavia, Torulaspora delbrueckii Biodiva, Pichia kluyveri FrootZen and Kluyveromyces thermotolerans Concerto were investigated. RESULTS Sucrose was not utilized by M. pulcherrima and P. kluyveri, resulting in little formation of ethanol (0.3-0.5%, v/v), while about 7% ethanol was produced by the other two yeasts. Volatiles such as esters and sulfur-containing compounds were synthesized or catabolized and distinctive differences existed among yeasts. Larger amounts of higher alcohols and ethyl esters were detected in wines fermented by T. delbrueckii and K. thermotolerans, whereas M. pulcherrima and P. kluyveri produced more acetate esters such as ethyl acetate (1034.43 and 131.05 mg L(-1) respectively) and isoamyl acetate (0.56 and 27.68 mg L(-1) respectively). Most endogenous sulfur volatiles such as disulfides declined to trace levels, but new ones such as thioesters were formed. Sulfur volatiles in wines fermented by T. delbrueckii accounted for 0.20% relative peak area (RPA), followed by K. thermotolerans (0.23% RPA), P. kluyveri (1.43% RPA) and M. pulcherrima (4.16% RPA). CONCLUSION The findings showed that a more complex flavor could result from fermentation with different non-Saccharomyces yeasts and the typical durian odor would still remain.

Coffee fermentation and flavor--An intricate and delicate relationship.

The relationship between coffee fermentation and coffee aroma is intricate and delicate at which the coffee aroma profile is easily impacted by the fermentation process during coffee processing. However, as the fermentation process in coffee processing is conducted mainly for mucilage removal, its impacts on coffee aroma profile are usually neglected. Therefore, this review serves to summarize the available literature on the impacts of fermentation in coffee processing on coffee aroma as well as other unconventional avenues where fermentation is employed for coffee aroma modulation. Studies have noted that proper control over the fermentation process imparts desirable attributes and prevents undesirable fermentation which generates off-flavors. Other unconventional avenues in which fermentation is employed for aroma modulation include digestive bioprocessing and the fermentation of coffee extracts and green coffee beans. The latter is an area that should be explored further with appropriate microorganisms given its potential for coffee aroma modulation.

Fermentation of three varieties of mango juices with a mixture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Williopsis saturnus var. mrakii.

This study was carried out to ascertain the behavior and fermentation performance of mixed yeasts in mango juices of three varieties. Saccharomyces cerevisiae MERIT.ferm and Williopsis saturnus var. mrakii NCYC500 at a ratio of 1:1000 were simultaneously inoculated into juices of three mango (Mangifera indica L.) varieties (R2E2, Harum Manis and Nam Doc Mai). Both yeasts grew well in all juices and there was no early growth arrest of either yeast, but there was late death of W. saturnus var. mrakii NCYC500 in the Nam Doc Mai juice. Fructose, glucose and sucrose were consumed to trace levels in all juices. Changes in citric, tartaric, malic, acetic and succinic acids varied with mango varieties. While the changes of major volatiles were similar in all varieties, there were significant varietal differences in the volatile composition of the resultant mango wines. The volatiles, especially most of the terpenes, of the juices decreased drastically and new volatiles such as β-citronellol were formed. R2E2 wine had more fruity, sweet and creamy notes, and retained more of its original character due to a higher retention of ketones/lactones. Harum Manis wine had the lowest aroma intensity with more green and terpenic notes associated with higher levels of residual terpenes than the other two varieties. Nam Doc Mai wine possessed the highest aroma intensity with winey, yeasty, fruity and floral notes attributed to higher amounts of alcohols, acetate esters and ethyl esters. These findings may help develop different styles of mango wine.

Impact of addition of aromatic amino acids on non-volatile and volatile compounds in lychee wine fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae MERIT.ferm.

The impact of individual aromatic amino acid addition (L-phenylalanine, L-tryptophan and L-tyrosine) on non-volatile and volatile constituents in lychee wine fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. cerevisiae MERIT.ferm was studied. None of the added amino acids had any significant effect on the yeast cell count, pH, soluble solid contents, sugars and ethanol. The addition of L-phenylalanine significantly reduced the production of pyruvic and succinic acids. The addition of each amino acid dramatically reduced the consumption of proline and decreased the production of glycerol. Supplementation of the lychee juice with L-phenylalanine resulted in the formation of significantly higher amounts of 2-phenylethyl alcohol, 2-phenylethyl acetate, 2-phenylethyl isobutyrate and 2-phenylethyl hexanoate. In contrast, supplementation with L-tryptophan and L-tyrosine had negligible effects on the volatile profile of lychee wines. These findings suggest that selectively adding amino acids may be used as a tool to modulate the volatile profile of lychee wines so as to diversify and/or intensify wine flavour and style.

Chemical and Volatile Composition of Mango Wines Fermented with Different Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast Strains

The aim of this study was to compare the chemical and volatile composition of mango wines fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus EC1118, S. cerevisiae var. chevalieri CICC1028 and S. cerevisiae var. cerevisiae MERIT.ferm. Strains EC1118 and MERIT.ferm showed similar growth patterns but strain CICC1028 grew slightly slowly. The ethanol level reached about 8% (v/v) for each mango wine and sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) were almost exhausted at the end of fermentation. There were only negligible changes in the concentrations of citric, succinic and tartaric acids, except for malic acid (decreased significantly). Different volatile compounds were produced, which were mainly fatty acids, alcohols and esters. Most volatiles that were present in the juice were consumed to trace amounts. The kinetic changes of volatiles were similar among the three yeasts but the concentrations of some volatiles varied with yeast. Strain MERIT.ferm produced higher amounts of higher alcohols, isoamyl and 2-phenylethyl acetates, whereas strain CICC1028 produced higher amounts of medium-chain fatty acids and ethyl esters of decanoate and dodecanoate. These results suggest that it may be possible to produce mango wines with differential characteristics using different S. cerevisiae strains.

Characterisation of calamansi (Citrus microcarpa). Part II: Volatiles, physicochemical properties and non-volatiles in the juice

Calamansi juices from three countries (Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam) were characterised through measuring volatiles, physicochemical properties and non-volatiles (sugars, organic acids and phenolic acids). The volatile components of manually squeezed calamansi juices were extracted using dichloromethane and headspace solid-phase microextraction, and then analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/flame ionisation detector, respectively. A total of 60 volatile compounds were identified. The results indicated that the Vietnam calamansi juice contained the highest amount of volatiles. Two principal components obtained from principal component analysis (PCA) represented 89.65% of the cumulative total variations of the volatiles. Among the non-volatile components, these three calamansi juices could be, to some extent, differentiated according to fructose and glucose concentrations. Hence, this study of calamansi juices could lead to a better understanding of calamansi fruits.