This chapter reviews the main non-thermal technologies with application in enology and their impact in: the extraction of phenolic compounds from grapes, the elimination of indigenous microorganisms, and the subsequent effect in SO2 reduction. The technologies are physical processes with null or low repercussion in temperature and therefore gentle with sensory quality of grapes. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP), ultra high pressure homogenization (UHPH), pulsed electric fields (PEFs), electron-beam irradiation (eBeam), ultrasound (US), and pulsed light (PL) have interesting advantages and some drawbacks that are extensively reviewed highlighting the potential applications in current technology.
Part of the book: Chemistry and Biochemistry of Winemaking, Wine Stabilization and Aging
Ultra-High Pressure Homogenization (UHPH) is an emerging non-thermal technology that uses continuous pumping at 200–600 MPa (generally 300), and then the fluid is depressurized against a special valve made with highly resistant alleys and coated with diamond powder. The UHPH process is able to sterilize grape juice or whatever food fluid and at the same time is extremely efficient in inactivating oxidative enzymes. The total elimination of wild microorganisms in grape juice allows the perfect implantation of the selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae starter facilitating the expression of particular metabolic profiles or the expression of specific extracellular activities. Furthermore, the use of complex emerging biotechnologies such as the use of co-inoculations with S. cerevisiae and lactic acid bacteria to perform simultaneously alcoholic and malolactic fermentations works much better if the initial juice has a very low load of wild microorganisms. Additionally, the development of spoilage processes by wild microorganisms that can remain in the wine after fermentation is practically impossible when the initial juice is treated by UHPH. Thus, UHPH helps to obtain wines more stable from a microbiological perspective and therefore safer and more hygienic.
Part of the book: New Advances in Saccharomyces