Torulaspora delbrueckii is a yeast species typically present in the early stages of the fermentation process. T. delbrueckii positively modifies the aromatic properties of wines. However, its contribution to the final quality of the wine is restricted by its low tolerance to ethanol. T. delbrueckii is capable of fermenting and tolerating an ethanol concentration ranging from 7.4% (v/v) to slightly higher than 9% (v/v). For this reason, it cannot complete fermentation, when alcohol reach levels higher than 12% (v/v), limiting their use in the industry. The objective of this work was to obtain new variants of T. delbrueckii with improved resistance to ethanol through adaptive laboratory evolution. Variants capable of tolerating ethanol levels of 11.5% (v/v) were obtained. These presented improved kinetic parameters, and additionally showed an increase in resistance to SO2 in ethanol compared to the original strain. Co-inoculated fermentations were performed with the original strain (FTd/Sc) and with the evolved strain (FTdF/Sc), in addition to a control fermentation using only Saccharomyces cerevisiae EC1118 (FSc). The results obtained show that FTdF/Sc present higher levels of 2-Ethylhexanol, compared to FTd/Sc and FSc. Furthermore, FTdF/Sc presents higher levels of total alcohols, total aldehydes, total phenolic derivatives, and total sulfur compounds with significant differences with FSc. These results provide a T. delbrueckii YCPUC10-F yeast with higher resistance to ethanol, which can be present throughout the fermentation process and be used in co-inoculated fermentations. This would positively impact the performance of T. delbrueckii by allowing it to be present not only in the early stages of fermentation but to remain until the end of fermentation.

Wine is a complex matrix that involves compounds of different chemical nature, with volatile compounds being primarily responsible for the aromatic quality of the wine. The formation of these volatile compounds is mainly due to yeasts' metabolism during alcoholic fermentation. Several studies in the microbiology field have reported that Saccharomyces cerevisiae is responsible for alcoholic fermentation, influencing the sensory quality of the wine and affecting the metabolic activity of other genera and species of yeasts, called non-Saccharomyces, which would positively affect sensory quality. Non-Saccharomyces yeasts, considered until recently as undesirable or spoilage yeasts, can improve the chemical composition and aroma profile of the wine. The activity of these yeasts is considered essential for the final wine aroma profile. Thus, the metabolism of these microorganisms could be a decisive factor that strongly influences the aroma of the wine, impacting on its quality. However, there are few studies that explain the impact of non-Saccharomyces yeasts on the final wine aroma profile. This chapter summarizes relevant aspects and pathways involved in the synthesis of aromatic compounds by non-Saccharomyces yeasts as well as studies at the genetic and transcriptional level associated with their formation.

Background and aims Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) stimulate plant growth by a series of mechanisms, including atmospheric nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization and the synthesis of plant hormones. Within the group of PGPMs, several species of bacteria and fungi have been extensively studied. However, little information is available with regard to soil yeasts. The present study was conducted to identify yeast strains isolated from different soils in Chile that present plant growth promotion activity. Methods Twenty-three strains were evaluated either for their capacity to synthesize indole-3-acetic acid or show aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity. The effect on tomato seedling growth was evaluated in vitro, and two strains were selected for in vivo evaluation of plant growth and root ethylene synthesis. Results All the strains analyzed presented IAA synthesis within the range between 0.8 and 3.3 μg IAA mL−1. Solicoccozyma aeria (YCPUC75 and YCPUC79 strains) was the only yeast with ACC deaminase activity. In vitro inoculation of tomato seeds with eight of the evaluated strains resulted in an increase in the root volume and the number of lateral roots. In the second experiment, a 40% reduction in root ethylene synthesis was achieved by adding S. aeria (YCPUC79) to the root zone, which resulted in a 26% increase in plant growth. Conclusions Solicoccozyma aeria YCPUC79 is an effective plant growth promoter stimulating root growth and reducing root ethylene synthesis.

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Brettanomyces bruxellensis is considered the most significant contaminant yeast in the wine industry since it causes a deterioration in the organoleptic properties of the wine and significant economic losses. This deterioration is due to the production of volatile phenols from hydroxycinnamic acids. These compounds possess antimicrobial properties; however, B. bruxellensis can resist this effect because it metabolizes them into less toxic ones. Recent studies have reported that B. bruxellensis grows under different stress conditions, including p-coumaric acid (pCA) but effective methods for its control have not been found yet. Since that in other yeasts, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it has been described that light affects its growth, and we evaluated whether the light would have a similar effect on B. bruxellensis. The results show that at light intensities of 2,500 and 4,000 lux in the absence of pCA, B. bruxellensis LAMAP2480 does not grow in the culture medium; however, when the medium contains this acid, the yeast adapts to both factors of stress managing to grow. The expression of genes related to oxidative stress in B. bruxellensis LAMAP2480, such as SOD1, GCN4, and ESBP6, showed a higher relative expression when the yeast was exposed to 2,500 lux compared to 4,000 lux, agreeing with the growth curves. This suggests that a higher expression of the genes studied would be related to stress-protective effects by pCA.

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