In the period from November 8 to 19, 2021, PhD student Ana Boban, mag. chem. stayed at the Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona in Italy. The host and mentor at the training was Dr Vesna Milanović, collaborator on the project.

PhD student Ana acquired knowledge and practical skills in basic microbiological methods for isolation and identification of isolated non-Saccharomyces yeasts from the first phase of the project. During her stay, she improved on methods of oenological characterization of isolated yeasts, such as testing the resistance of isolates to different temperatures, concentrations of alcohol and sulfur (IV) oxide, and carried out testing of enzyme activity of yeasts related to the aroma of the variety using enzymatic methods. PhD student Ana Boban also learned about the PCR method used in the preparation of samples for molecular identification of isolated yeasts from our project.

A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) device for the analysis of wine, must and must in fermentation, model Lyza 5000 Wine, with an included automatic sample changer, from the equipment manufacturer Anton Paar GmbH, was installed in the Oenology Laboratory at the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation. The device was procured in the Open Public Procurement Procedure announced on June 8, 2021. On October 27 and 28, 2021, advanced training for working on the device was carried out for project collaborators. Next step is the validation of the FTIR analyzer on must and wine samples with reference OIV methods. The FTIR analyzer has the ability to measure a large number of chemical parameters important for wine quality. This device will significantly contribute to research on the fermentation activity of isolated autochthonous non-Saccharomyces yeasts due to automatic sample changer, very short analysis time and small sample volume.

The isolation of autochthonous yeasts from fresh grapes of the Maraština variety is in progress. Isolation is carried out in the Microbiological Laboratory by our colaborator Dr Vesna Milanović from the Polytechnic University of Marche in Ancona, Italy. The pictures show yeasts grown on a WL nutrient medium. The different morphology of the yeasts is visible. The samples were prepared for the following stages of work: purification and isolation of DNA, PCR analysis, and sequencing of PCR products.

September is an intense month for our team. We went to tour of vineyards in the area of Korčula, Kaštela, the hinterland of Zadar, and Šibenik with the aim of collecting samples of the Maraština variety for the isolation of non-Saccharomyces yeasts and the identification of grape metabolites. We sampled grapes from 10 commercial vineyards located in Dračevica, Prapatna, Kruševo, Kaštel Kambelovac, Smilčić, Polača, Stankovci, Vukšić and Oklaj and from the germplasm collection of autochthonous varieties at the Institute. We determined the parameters of grape maturity, collected data on location and viticultural practices. In the laboratory of the Institute, we separated the obtained samples for microbiological and chemical analyses. We set up spontaneous fermentations in laboratory conditions with grapes from all locations.

Ana Boban, mag. chem. is employed in the position of an assistant – PhD student in the scientific field of Biotechnical sciences, the field of Food technology, based on the results of the competition of the Croatian Science Foundation “Project for the development of careers of young researchers – training of new doctors of science” (DOK-2021-02). Ana Boban graduated in 2020 at the Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, in field of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. At the Faculty of Food and Biotechnology of the University of Zagreb, she will enroll PhD study of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, Food Technology and Nutrition. PhD student Ana Boban will study the interactions of autochthonous non-Saccharomyces yeasts and grape metabolites.

Welcome to WINE AROMAS team!

Following the planned activities on the project, on July 16, 2021, the first working meeting of the project team and a research group were held at the Institute for Adriatic Crops. The workshop was held in a combined way, live and through the online Zoom platform, where we were joined by Dr Urska Vrhovsek, while Prof Jasenka Gajdoš Kljusurić and Dr Vesna Milanović were present at the Institute. The aims of the workshop were to present the methodology of isolation and identification of non-Saccharomyces yeasts, to discussed about online database, and other project activities.

As part of the “Fridays at 13” seminar held at the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, on July 16, 2021, Ph.D. Irena Budić-Leto presented the research project. Information about the project, the project team, research objectives, research methodology, and planned project results were presented.