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Updated: Jul 9, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Fermentation Microbiome Through Next-Generation Sequencing
Published on: December 1, 2023
Characterization of Mannoprotein Structural Diversity in Wine Yeast Species
Carla Snyman1,2, Julie Mekoue Nguela3, Nathalie Sieczkowski3
1South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
Abstract:
The structure of yeast cell wall (CW) mannoproteins (MPs) influences their impact on wine properties. Yeast species produce a diverse range of MPs, but the link between properties and specific structural features has been ill-characterized. This study compared the protein and polysaccharide moieties of MP-rich preparations from four strains of four different enologically relevant yeast species, named Saccharomyces boulardii (SB62), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC01), Metschnikowia fructicola (MF77), and Torulaspora delbrueckii (TD70), and a commercial MP preparation. Monosaccharide determination revealed that SB62 MPs contained the highest mannose/glucose ratio followed by SC01, while polysaccharide size distribution analyses showed maximum molecular weights ranging from 1349 kDa for MF77 to 483 kDa for TD70. Protein identification analysis led to the identification of unique CW proteins in SB62, SC01, and TD70, as well as some proteins shared between different strains. This study reveals MP composition diversity within wine yeasts and paves the way toward their industrial exploitation.
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