Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme AGRE-0012: Control of malolactic fermentation. Development of lactic acid bacteria for direct inoculation into wine

Contacts




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Biological Conversion : Biotechnology : FAIR-CT98-4822 Commercial Success of the ECLAIR Programme



This Item is taken from a report produced by CPL Scientific on the Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme 1999 under contract FAIR-CT98-4822. The Project Summary, Links to Individual Project Reports and Preface and Overview are available in separate items.

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AGRE-0012: Control of malolactic fermentation. Development of lactic acid bacteria for direct inoculation into wine

Science Background

Malolactic fermentation (MLF) is an essential process in the production of high quality wine. Modern hygiene standards and technical developments have decreased the spontaneous evolution of MLF, hence increasing demand for starter cultures based on the lactic acid bacteria Leuconostoc oenos that is often responsible for spontaneous MLF. Commercial preparations of freeze dried L. oenos, which had been available for several years prior to this project, were not always satisfactory.

Objectives

To develop cultures of L. oenos that are able to survive, grow and perform malolactic fermentation after direct inoculation into wine.

Significant changes and results since end of ECLAIR

This project provided the scientific base for the development of a commercial malolactic culture for direct inoculation, Viniflora Oenos. The coordinators, Chr. Hansen (Denmark), commercialized the product using in-house funding immediately after the end of this project.

Results

At end of this ECLAIR project

Suitable cultures of L. oenos had been identified and were being developed towards commercialization.

Current position

A freeze-dried culture of a selected strain of L. oenos is commercially available under the tradename Viniflora Oenos^TM from Chr. Hansen, the coordinators of this project. This product has a unique ability to survive and perform MLF in wine upon direct inoculation, ensuring a fast and safe MLF. The culture is easy to use by dispersing the dry product directly into the wine after alcoholic fermentation. In barrel fermented white wines, Viniflora Oenos^TM can even be used during alcoholic fermentation.

Impact

Commercial

Viniflora Oenos^TM was introduced in 1993 by Chr. Hansen. They claim to be the world's leading producer of lactic acid bacteria, and that Viniflora Oenos^TM is the preferred malolactic culture for winemakers in all major wine producing regions of the world. A patent (EC 0635050) has been granted.

Contacts

Author

• Jim COOMBS / CPL Scientific Publishing Services Ltd CPL Press / UNITED KINGDOM
• Katy HALL / CPL Scientific Publishing Services Ltd CPL Press / UNITED KINGDOM

Chr. Hansen A/S

• C Prahl / Chr Hansen's Laboratorium Danmark A/S DENMARK