Release of nitrogen compounds to the extracellular medium by three strainsof Saccharomyces cerevisiae during induced autolysis in a model wine system

To detect differences among three strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae used in the manufacture of sparkling wines and to study the changes in nitrogen compounds during autolysis, a model wine system was used. Significant diffe rences were observed between the mean values of the autolytic capacity of t he three strains. The amount of nitrogen (total, protein, peptide and amino ) present in the autolysates and the concentration of most free amino acids was significantly affected by the strain. These findings suggest that the strain of yeast used in the manufacture of sparkling wines can play an impo rtant role in the aging process and can affect final composition. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.