Polygenic Analysis of Tolerance to Carbon Dioxide Inhibition of Isoamyl Acetate "Banana" Flavor Production in Yeast Reveals MDS3 as Major Causative Gene

The introduction in modern breweries of tall cylindroconical fermentors, replacing the traditional open fermentation vats, unexpectedly revealed strong inhibition of flavor production by the high CO₂ pressure in the fermentors. We have screened our collection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for strains displaying elevated tolerance to inhibition of flavor production by +0.65 bar CO₂, using a laboratory scale CO₂ pressurized fermentation system. We focused on the production of isoamyl acetate, a highly desirable flavor compound conferring fruity banana flavor in beer and other alcoholic beverages, from its precursor isoamyl alcohol (IAAc/Alc ratio). We selected the most tolerant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, saké yeast Kyokai no. 1, isolated a stable haploid segregant seg63 with the same high IAAc/Alc ratio under CO₂ pressure, crossed seg63 with the unrelated inferior strain ER7A and phenotyped 185 haploid segregants, of which 28 displaying a high IAAc/Alc ratio were pooled. Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) by whole-genome sequence analysis based on SNP variant frequency revealed two QTLs. In the major QTL, reciprocal hemizygosity analysis identified MDS3 as the causative mutant gene, a putative member of the TOR signaling pathway. The MDS3^Seg.63 allele was dominant and contained a single causative point mutation, T2171C, resulting in the F274S substitution. Introduction of MDS3^Seg.63 in an industrial tetraploid lager yeast with CRISPR/Cas9 enhanced isoamyl acetate production by 145% under CO₂ pressure. This work shows the strong potential of polygenic analysis and targeted genetic modification for creation of cisgenic industrial brewer's yeast strains with specifically improved traits.

IMPORTANCE The upscaling of fermentation to very tall cylindroconical tanks is known to negatively impact beer flavor. Most notably, the increased CO₂ pressure in such tanks compromises production by the yeast of the desirable fruity “banana” flavor (isoamyl acetate). The cause of the CO₂ inhibition of yeast flavor production has always remained enigmatic. Our work has brought the first insight into its molecular-genetic basis and provides a specific gene tool for yeast strain improvement. We first identified a yeast strain with superior tolerance to CO₂ inhibition of flavor production, and applied polygenic analysis to identify the responsible gene. We narrowed down the causative element to a single nucleotide difference, MDS3^T2171C, and showed that it can be engineered into brewing yeast to obtain strains with superior flavor production in high CO₂ pressure conditions, apparently without affecting other traits relevant for beer brewing. Alternatively, such a strain could be obtained through marker-assisted breeding.

The molecular biology of fruity and floral aromas in beer and other alcoholic beverages

Aroma compounds provide attractiveness and variety to alcoholic beverages. We discuss the molecular biology of a major subset of beer aroma volatiles, fruity and floral compounds, originating from raw materials (malt and hops), or formed by yeast during fermentation. We introduce aroma perception, describe the most aroma-active, fruity and floral compounds in fruits and their presence and origin in beer. They are classified into categories based on their functional groups and biosynthesis pathways: (1) higher alcohols and esters, (2) polyfunctional thiols, (3) lactones and furanones, and (4) terpenoids. Yeast and hops are the main sources of fruity and flowery aroma compounds in beer. For yeast, the focus is on higher alcohols and esters, and particularly the complex regulation of the alcohol acetyl transferase ATF1 gene. We discuss the release of polyfunctional thiols and monoterpenoids from cysteine- and glutathione-S-conjugated compounds and glucosides, respectively, the primary biological functions of the yeast enzymes involved, their mode of action and mechanisms of regulation that control aroma compound production. Furthermore, we discuss biochemistry and genetics of terpenoid production and formation of non-volatile precursors in Humulus lupulus (hops). Insight in these pathways provides a toolbox for creating innovative products with a diversity of pleasant aromas.

Yeast responses to stresses associated with industrial brewery handling: Figure 1

During brewery handling, production strains of yeast must respond to fluctuations in dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, osmolarity, ethanol concentration, nutrient supply and temperature. Fermentation performance of brewing yeast strains is dependent on their ability to adapt to these changes, particularly during batch brewery fermentation which involves the recycling (repitching) of a single yeast culture (slurry) over a number of fermentations (generations). Modern practices, such as the use of high-gravity worts and preparation of dried yeast for use as an inoculum, have increased the magnitude of the stresses to which the cell is subjected. The ability of yeast to respond effectively to these conditions is essential not only for beer production but also for maintaining the fermentation fitness of yeast for use in subsequent fermentations. During brewery handling, cells inhabit a complex environment and our understanding of stress responses under such conditions is limited. The advent of techniques capable of determining genomic and proteomic changes within the cell is likely vastly to improve our knowledge of yeast stress responses during industrial brewery handling.

CO(2)-induced total phenolics in suspension cultures of Panax ginseng C. A. Mayer roots: role of antioxidants and enzymes

The effects of different concentrations of CO(2) (1%, 2.5% and 5%) on the antioxidant capacity, total phenols, flavonoids, protein content and phenol biosynthetic enzymes in roots of Panax ginseng were studied in bioreactor (working volume 4 l) after 15, 30 and 45 days. CO(2) induced accumulation of total phenolics in a concentration and duration dependent manner. Total phenols, flavonoids and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity increased 60%, 30% and 20% at 2.5% CO(2) after 45 days compared to control in P. ginseng roots which indicated that phenolics compounds played an important role in protecting the plants from CO(2). Hypothesizing that increasing the phenolic compounds in roots of P. ginseng may increase its nutritional functionality; we investigated whether pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), shikimate/phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes have a role in phenolics mobilization in P. ginseng roots. Fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW) and growth ratio was increased at 1% and 2.5% CO(2) only after 45 days, however, unaffected after 15 and 30 days. Results also indicated that high CO(2) progressively stimulated the activities of glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH, E.C. 1.1.1.49), shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH, E.C. 1.1.1.25), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL, E.C. 4.3.1.5), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD, E.C. 1.1.1.195), caffeic acid (CA) peroxidase and chlorogenic acid (CGA) peroxidase after 15, 30 and 45 days. Increased CO(2) levels resulted in increases in accumulation of total protein (45%), non-protein thiol (NP-SH) (30%) and cysteine contents (52%) after 45 days compared to control and increased activities of beta-glucosidase (GS, E.C. 3.2.1.21) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO, E.C. 1.10.3.2) in P. ginseng roots indicated that they played an important role in protecting the plants from CO(2). These results strongly suggest that high concentration of CO(2) delivered to ginseng root suspension cultures induced the accumulation of total phenolics possessing high antioxidant properties probably useful for human health. Therefore, roots of P. ginseng are considered as a good source of phenolics compounds with high antioxidants capacity and can be produced on a large scale.

Biogenic amines in wines from three Spanish regions

One hundred and sixty-three wines from La Rioja, Utiel-Requena, and Tarragona were analyzed to determine if there were any differences in the concentrations of six biogenic amines that are found in these three regions. The influence of grape variety, type of vinification, wine pH, malolactic fermentation, and storage in bottle on biogenic amine concentrations was studied. Results show important differences in putrescine and histamine concentrations among regions, varieties of grape, and type of wine; differences were less appreciable for the remaining biogenic amines studied. Low pH prevented biogenic amine formation. Malolactic fermentation and short storage periods in bottle (3-6 months) showed increases in histamine concentration, whereas longer periods of storage led to a general decrease in histamine. Several strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated in this work, and their ability to form biogenic amines was assayed in synthetic media, grape must, and wine. Grape varieties, different types of winemaking, pH, and lactic acid bacteria may be responsible for the differences observed in the biogenic amine concentrations of the wines analyzed.

Changes in amine concentrations during aging of red wine in oak barrels

This investigation studied the evolution of amines in red wines made with Merlot variety, during aging in American oak barrels (Quercus alba) and in French oak barrels (Quercus sessilis) from the Allier and Nevers regions. From the results obtained it was observed that the evolutions of the amines were similar in all three types of oak woods. Histamine and tyramine were produced at the beginning of the aging process, although they were not accumulated in the wines, probably due to their degradation. Putrescine was the most abundant amine in the wines; its concentration increased to an important extent during aging as it did not undergo degradation. The concentration of cadaverine increased slightly at the first stage of aging and, like putrescine, did not degrade at all. The volatile amines showed slight variations during aging, although in no cases were high accumulations observed in the wines. Dimethylamine and isobutylamine were degraded during storage in the barrels.