Immobilised Cell Technology in Winery and Fruit Wine Production

Abstract

Winemaking is largely concerned with the progress of biotechnology and especially with the use of high cell density reactors. Entrapment is the most widely method to immobilise cells; several matrix can be used (alginate, carrageenan, agar) with different geometry (beads, fibres, plates). Alcoholic fermentation of wine, malolactic fermentation, bottle fermentation known as the "Methode champenoise" and sparkling wines are among the industrial applications. Whereas prospects for this technology appear encouraging, further research is needed to optimise reaction variables, improve the long-term stability of the reactors, and understand more about secondary metabolite production by yeasts under these conditions. Nevertheless, several industrial trials have shown that fermented products with good flavour could be produced, and about 20 patents have been published which underlines the potential interest of this technology.