Aroma improving in microvinification processes by the use of a recombinant wine yeast strain expressing the Aspergillus nidulans xlnA gene

A recombinant wine yeast strain has been constructed expressing the gene coding for β-(1,4)-endoxylanase from Aspergillus nidulans under the control of the yeast actin gene promoter. The resulting recombinant strain is able to secrete active xylanase enzyme into the culture medium. Wines obtained by microvinification with the control and the recombinant wine yeast strain did not differ in their physicochemical characteristics although an increase in fruity aroma was organoleptically detected in the wine produced by the recombinant yeast. Also, an increase in the concentration of some esters, higher alcohols and terpenes was observed in the case of the recombinant strain.