Isolation of aromatic yeasts(non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> <i>cerevisiae</i>) from Korean traditional <i>nuruks</i> and identification of fermentation characteristics

Abstract

Ethyl caproate and isoamyl alcohol are important for the quality of Yakju, one of the Korean traditional alcoholic beverages. From Korean traditional fermentation agent, Nuruk, we have isolated 8 yeasts which produced rich aromatic compounds using YEPD agar plates (1% yeast extract, 2% peptone, 2% dextrose, 2% agar) containing 50 uL cerulenin at 30℃. The isolated aromatic yeasts are identified as Pichia anomala (4 strains), Pichia fabianii (2 strains), Pichia farinose (1 strains), Geotrichum candidum (1 strains). We conducted alcohol fermentation with each of the aromatic yeasts and the compounds (ethyl caproate and isoamyl alcohol) producing range were 59.5 - 193.2 ppm and 10.8 - 91.6 ppm respectively. As a control, Fermivin &reg; , famous aromatic wine yeast, was 89.4 ppm and 16.2 ppm respectively. We also find that the isolated Pichia anomala could produce higher level ethanol (4.2% - 5.0%, v/v) than other species (0.4% - 2.2%, v/v). Using the aromatic yeasts in fermentation industries, we expect to improve the quality of traditional alcoholic beverages.