Screening of non-Saccharomyceswine yeasts for the presence of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes

Twenty-six strains of yeasts, belonging to the genera Candida, Debaryomyces, Hanseniaspora, Hansenula, Kloeckera, Metschnikowia, Pichia, Saccharomyces and Torulaspora previously isolated from wines, were screened for the production of extracellular pectinases, amylases, lipases, proteases and β-glucosidases. Some strains of Candida species and Hanseniaspora uvarum/Kloeckera apiculata produced extracellular proteolytic or lipolytic activities. Most yeasts exhibited β-glucosidase activity, but particularly high activity was observed in strains of Pichia anomala/Candida pelliculosa (formerly Hansenula anomala) and Hanseniaspora uvarum/Kloeckera apiculata. The potential impact of these enzymes on wine quality is discussed.