Technological and spoiling characteristics of the yeast microflora isolated from Bella Di Cerignola table olives

Summary This study focused to investigate the technological significance and the spoiling impact of diverse yeast strains, isolated from ‘Bella di Cerignola’ Italian table olives. Sixty‐four isolates (belonging mainly to the species Candida famata and C. guilliermondii) were studied to assess their growth at different temperatures (15, 25 and 37 °C), pHs (4.0, 5.0 and 9.5) and NaCl concentrations (0–10.0%) in lab medium. Their pectolytic, xylanolytic, lipolytic and catalase activities were also evaluated. Most of the yeasts showed a moderate pectolytic activity and were able to grow at pH 9.5 after 120 h of incubation. Salt and temperature were the most important environmental variables affecting yeast growth, which could exert a strong selective pressure on yeast population. Candida guilliermondii appeared more resistant to high salt concentrations, whereas C. famata was able to grow at 15 °C.