Effect of commercial enzymes on berry cell wall deconstruction in the context of intravineyard ripeness variation under winemaking conditions

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Yu Gao
  • Jonatan Ulrik Fangel
  • William George Tycho Willats
  • Melané A. Vivier
  • John P. Moore

Significant intravineyard variation in grape berry ripening occurs within vines and between vines. However, no cell wall data are available on such variation. Here we used a checkerboard panel design to investigate ripening variation in pooled grape bunches for enzyme-assisted winemaking. The vineyard was dissected into defined panels, which were selected for winemaking with or without enzyme addition. Cell wall material was prepared and subjected to high-throughput profiling combined with multivariate data analysis. The study showed that significant ripening-related variation was present at the berry cell wall polymer level and occurred within the experimental vineyard block. Furthemore, all enzyme treatments reduced cell wall variation via depectination. Interestingly, cell wall esterification levels were unaffected by enzyme treatments. This study provides clear evidence that enzymes can positively influence the consistency of winemaking and provides a foundation for further research into the relationship between grape berry cell wall architecture and enzyme formulations.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume64
Issue number19
Pages (from-to)3862-3872
Number of pages11
ISSN0021-8561
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

    Research areas

  • Journal Article

ID: 169135276