Growth and fermentation kinetics of a mixed culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus and Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus at different ratios in longan juice (Dimocarpus longan Lour.)

Cofermentation of longan juice by mixed cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus EC-1118 and Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus CBS254 at two inoculation ratios (EC-1118:CBS254 = 1:100 and 1:1000 cfu mL−1) was performed to ascertain their impact on longan wine aroma compound formation. The results showed improved aroma compound profiles in the longan wine fermented with mixed yeasts in comparison with the longan wines fermented with single yeasts in terms of increased production of acetate esters, fatty acid ethyl esters, alcohols and carboxylic acids. The impact of cofermentation on longan wine aroma formation was affected by the ratio of S. cerevisiae EC-1118 to W. saturnus CBS254 with 1:100 cfu mL−1 being more effective. This research suggests that the inoculation ratio of mixed yeasts may be used as an effective means of manipulating longan wine aroma.