Polymeric pigments formed in sequential fermentation of red fresh musts by adding flavan-3-ols

Abstract

Red wine pigments are susceptible to degradation by light, SO2 and changes in pH and temperature1,2. The formation of pyranoanthocyanins and polymeric pigments during fermentation and wine aging promote the stability of such pigments3. Glycolytic metabolites (e.g. acetaldehyde and pyruvic acid) may interact with anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols to form more stable molecules4 without a drastic change in hue values. Procyanidins are molecules from the flavanoids family that may condense with anthocyanins5. The contribution of non-Saccharomyces yeasts (e.g. L. thermotolerans, M. pulcherrima and T. delbrueckii), in sequential fermentation with S. cerevisiae and S. pombe, to the production of stable pigments was assessed in this project. with the use of HPLC-DAD/MS-ESI. The red musts have been enriched with flavanols prior fermentation. Fermentative volatiles and sensorial analysis were also performed to characterize experimental wines produced.