In this study we investigated the possibility of usingCandida zemplinina, as a partner ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae, in mixed fermentations of must with a high sugar content, in order to reduce its acetic acid production. Thirty-fiveC. zemplininastrains, which were isolated from different geographic regions, were molecularly characterized, and their fermentation performances were determined. Five genetically different strains were selected for mixed fermentations withS. cerevisiae. Two types of inoculation were carried out: coinoculation and sequential inoculation. A balance between the two species was generally observed for the first 6 days, after which the levels ofC. zemplininastarted to decrease. Relevant differences were observed concerning the consumption of sugars, the ethanol and glycerol content, and acetic acid production, depending on which strain was used and which type of inoculation was performed. Sequential inoculation led to the reduction of about half of the acetic acid content compared to the pureS. cerevisiaefermentation, but the ethanol and glycerol amounts were also low. A coinoculation with selected combinations ofS. cerevisiaeandC. zemplininaresulted in a decrease of ∼0.3 g of acetic acid/liter, while maintaining high ethanol and glycerol levels. This study demonstrates that mixedS. cerevisiaeandC. zemplininafermentation could be applied in sweet wine fermentation to reduce the production of acetic acid, connected to theS. cerevisiaeosmotic stress response.

A strategy to maximise the health benefits of wheat-based products enriched with refined flour and selected fractions of kernel, obtained by sequential pearling, has been tested. Five mixtures of refined commercial flour with an increasing replacement of a pearled wheat fraction were used to prepare bread and were compared with a control for the dough rheological properties (Mixolab® parameters), the bioactive compound content, deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination and the physical properties (volume, crust colour, instrumental crunchiness and crumb texture profile analysis parameters). The antioxidant and dietary fibre contents increased linearly as the flour was enriched with the pearled fraction. The dietary fibre, β-glucan, total phenolic, alkylresorcinol content and the antioxidant activity increased significantly at a replacement level of 10%, while the technological properties were not significantly different from those of the control. It has been shown that refined flour could be enriched through the addition of a selected wheat pearled fraction and the bioactive compound content of composite bread could be improved, while few rheological and technological differences could be obtained and the risk for DON contamination could be limited.

The texture, color, and chemical characteristics of 10 white table-grape varieties were compared: Delizia del Vaprio, Matilde, Moscato di Terracina, Pansé precoce, Pizzutello bianco, Regina, Regina dei vigneti, Sublima seedless, Sultanina (or Thompson Seedless), and Vincere. Consumer acceptability of table grapes depends on such factors as visual attributes, chemical constituents, nutritive values, mechanical properties, and, obviously, sensory attributes, which are affected by the cultivar. Notable differences among the studied varieties were found in CIRG (color index of red grapes), solid soluble content, malic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, and the amount of total polyphenols. However, the mechanical parameters of berries, as determined by texture profile analysis, and berry skin characteristics, evaluated by puncture testing, were the most important properties for the differentiation of varieties. In particular, PCA analysis indicated that hardness, gumminess, chewiness, break skin force, break skin energy, and Young’s modulus of elasticity of skin were the best indices with which to characterize the varieties. These results may help viticulture and postharvest professionals recognize the behavior of each variety and thus better respond to the consumer market.