Malolactic fermentation is the metabolic process of L-malic acid degradation in L-lactic acid and CO2. It is responsible by the reduction in total acidity and also contributes to the biological stability and a flavor modification of the wines. In normal winery operation it occurs commonly in red wines. However, recently malolactic fermentation had been also used in some white wines, such as Chardonnay. The main aim of this work was to evaluate the behavior of two commercial strains of Leuconostoc oenos in the induction of malolactic fermentation. Gewürztraminer grapes were fermented and inoculated with two lactic cultures, Viniflora Oenos and Vino, in several residual sugar levels: 55.0 - 21.9 - 1.1 e 0.9g/l. The sugar levels were compared with spontaneous malolactic fermentation (control), with two repetitions. Degradation of malic acid was followed by paper chromatography. Organic acids determinations were performed using eficiency high liquid chromatography. Reducing sugars, °Brix, pH, total acidity and alcohol values were evaluated. A low incidence (22.7%) of the malolactic fermentation in wines was observed. However, in those wines in which malolactic fermentation occurred it took a long time to reach the end, between 56 and 92 days. Using 1.1 and 0.9g/l of residual sugar the inoculated wines and the control did not undergo the malolactic fermentation. The wild lactic acid bacterias were identified as being as Leuconostoc genus and, due to some physiologic characteristics observed in the inoculated wine isolated, there was a raised suspicius that the cultures had lost the viability. The behaviour of the malic, acetic, lactic, piruvic and tartaric acids were demonstrates by the results.
Leuconostoc oenos; must; starter culture; white wine
