To take up the twofold challenge of ensuring speed and ease of use/efficiency, Lallemand applied its expertise to develop a new, optimized protocol using two major innovations: Uvaferm 43 RESTART™ and ResKue™. 

ResKue™ is the first wine yeast cell-wall product selected for physical and biochemical properties giving a high capacity to adsorb fermentation inhibitors. 

Lallemand’s R&D has focused on improving yeast cellwall characterization since 2006. As a result of this research to increase yeast cell-walls’ adsorption capacity, we have selected a wine yeast and specific autolysis protocol (Pradelles et al., 2009). We have also confirmed that prior rehydration of yeast cell walls is an important step for enhancing their adsorption capacity. 

In addition, we have developed a new method to analyse the biochemical composition of yeast cell walls and assess their physical properties (Schiavone et al., 2014 and 2015).

Phytosanitary products (fungicides, herbicides and insecticides) seriously affect yeast viability and can compromise the end of fermentation. Recent research has also shown that these products can have a negative impact on aroma production (especially esters) and wine’s fruitiness (Noguerol-Pato et al., 2014). The use of ResKue™ can significantly decrease the residues of the phytosanitary products as shown in Figure 1.

 Phytosanitary residues often cause problematic alcoholic fermentation. In these situations, grape must can be detoxified before alcoholic fermentation is even started to limit the onset of these problems.

Similarly, during problematic alcoholic fermentation, other toxic compounds such as short- and mediumchain fatty acids (SMCFAs) reportedly inhibit alcoholic fermentation. These fatty acids may affect the fermentation restart. Detoxification can be attempted after 2/3 of alcoholic fermentation when you suspect that the end of fermentation will be laborious. Figure 2 is an example of ResKue™ ’s effectiveness at eliminating toxic fatty acids (SMCFAs).

For stuck fermentation, it is therefore virtually essential to detoxify wine with ResKue™ before beginning a fermentation restart protocol. ResKue™ consists of selected wine-yeast cell walls with highly characterized physical and biochemical properties. ResKue™ has a high adsorption capacity and is an effective tool for eliminating phytosanitary product residues and SMCFAs.

When AF is stuck, must usually contains more fructose than glucose, whereas most Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts prefer glucose. To restart alcoholic fermentation, it is therefore especially important to choose a yeast with high fructose affinity. Uvaferm 43 RESTART™ ’ has been shown to be the best fructophilic yeast currently available. This is due to its high expression of genes in the HXT3 family encoding for specific fructose carriers.

To improve performance and make it as easy to use as possible when restarting fermentation, Uvaferm 43™ ’s production process has been completely readjusted.

The new process has resulted in Uvaferm 43 RESTART™, which is even more resistant to hostile wine conditions during stuck fermentation (high alcohol content, residual toxicity, etc.). 

Uvaferm 43 RESTART™ is produced in pre-acclimatized form, including specific micronutrients to enhance yeast’s resistance in this medium, as well as survival factors such as specific sterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids to strengthen the yeast membrane. 

The yeast cells are thus more robust, have a lower post-inoculation mortality rate, and acclimatize faster in must. The fermentation restart protocol can therefore be simplified, reducing it to a few steps since the yeast is already pre-adapted. 

As well as simplifying the protocol, this new procedure is more efficient, as is shown by figure 3. Using Uvaferm 43 RESTART™ during this wine’s stuck fermentation saved one week compared to using standard Uvaferm 43™ in the same conditions.

Simpler and more efficient: discover the new protocol for restarting fermentation in just a few steps

Thanks to the combined action of these two innovations, Lallemand – in partnership with Inter Rhône (France) – has developed an optimized protocol for restarting fermentation. This protocol is efficient and easy to use since it includes just one acclimatization phase.

By developing ResKue™ – a unique wine-yeast cell-wall product with high/medium detoxification capacity – and Uvaferm 43 RESTART™, Lallemand has produced a much simpler, extremely efficient protocol for restarting fermentation that meets the challenges facing winegrowers in this situation.