Pulsed electric fields accelerate release of mannoproteins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae during aging on the lees of Chardonnay wine.

The potential of PEF for triggering autolysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and accelerating the release of mannoproteins during aging on the lees of Chardonnay wine was evaluated. Release of mannoproteins in Chardonnay wine increased drastically in samples containing PEF-treated (5 and 10 kV/cm, 75 μs) yeasts. No mannoprotein release was observed in the first seven days of aging on the lees in wine containing untreated yeast; however, after the same time interval, the concentration of those compounds increased by 40 and 60% in wines containing yeast treated by PEF at 5 and 10 kV/cm, respectively. After 30 days of incubation, the mannoprotein concentration in wines containing yeast treated under the most intense PEF conditions reached the maximum value. Control cells, on the other hand, required six months to reach that maximum level. Chromatic characteristics, total polyphenol index, total volatile acidity, pH, ethanol, and CIELAB parameters of the wine were not affected during aging on the lees with untreated and PEF-treated yeast. On the other hand, the capability of the mannoproteins released from yeast treated by PEF for decreasing wine turbidity, foaming, and interacting with tannins was similar to that of those released from untreated yeast; the differences observed were a consequence of the varying concentration of mannoproteins. The result obtained demonstrates that PEF permits the acceleration of the aging-on-lees step while avoiding or reducing the problems associated with it. To achieve this effect, intense treatment is not required. Therefore, wineries could process lees by using the most economical PEF devices on the market.