The heterologous expression of polysaccharidase-encoding genes with oenological relevance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Aims: The main objective of this study was to develop polysaccharide-degrading wine strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which are able to improve aspects of wine processing and clarification, as well as colour extraction and stabilization during winemaking. Methods and Results: Two yeast expression ⁄secretion gene cassettes were constructed, namely (i) a pectinase gene cassette (pPPK) consisting of the endo-polygalacturonase gene (pelE) from Erwinia chrysanthemi and the pectate lyase gene (peh1) from Erwinia carotovora and (ii) a glucanase ⁄xylanase gene cassette (pEXS) containing the endo-b-1,4-glucanase gene (end1) from Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and the endo-b-1,4-xylanase gene (xynC) from Aspergillus niger. The commercial wine yeast strain, VIN13, was transformed separately with these two gene cassettes and checked for the production of pectinase, glucanase and xylanase activities. Pinot Noir, Cinsaut and Muscat d’Alexandria grape juices were fermented using the VIN13[pPPK] pectinase- and the VIN13[pEXS] glucanase ⁄xylanase-producing transformants. Chemical analyses of the resultant wines indicated that (i) the pectinase-producing strain caused a decrease in the concentration of phenolic compounds in Pinot Noir whereas the glucanase ⁄xylanase-producing strain caused an increase in phenolic compounds presumably because of the degradation of the grape skins; (ii) the glucanase ⁄xylanase-producing strain caused a decrease in wine turbidity, especially in Pinot Noir wine, as well as a clear increase in colour intensity and (iii) in the Muscat d’Alexandria and Cinsaut wines, the differences between the control wines (fermented with the untransformed VIN3 strain) and the wines produced by the two transformed strains were less prominent showing that the effect of these polysaccharide-degrading enzymes is cultivar-dependent. Conclusions: The recombinant wine yeasts producing pectinase, glucanase and xylanase activities during the fermentation of Pinot Noir, Cinsaut and Muscat d’Alexandria grape juice altered the chemical composition of the resultant wines in a way that such yeasts could potentially be used to improve the clarity, colour intensity and stability and aroma of wine. Significance and Impact of the Study: Aspects of commercial-scale wine processing and clarification, colour extraction and stabilization, and aroma enhancement could potentially be improved by the use of polysaccharidedegrading wine yeasts without the addition of expensive commercial enzyme preparations. This offers the potential to further improve the price : quality ratio of wine according to consumer expectations.