Metabolic characterization of Kloeckera apiculata strains from star fruit fermentation

A total of 37 strains of Kloeckera apiculata was isolated during the sponta neous fermentation of star fruit must. Each strain was differentiated from the others on the basis of its capacity to produce acetaldehyde, ethyl acet ate, higher alcohols, acetoin and acetic acid. All the strains were charact erized by the low production of higher alcohols and the high production of ethyl acetate, whereas consistent differences in the production of acetalde hyde, acetoin and acetic acid served to differentiate star fruit apiculate strains into six different phenotypes, present at different stages of the f ermentation process. The metabolic strain diversity found can be interprete d as a natural consequence of environmental conditions, which influenced th e frequency and selection of specific apiculate strains. From the biotechno logical point of view the different metabolic biotypes represent an importa nt source of strains for potential use as starter cultures for star fruit f ermentation.