Aims: The goal of this study was to examine the growth of Oenococcus oeni in the presence of phenolic compounds under wine conditions and to see how these compounds affect bacterial metabolism.
Methods and results: Phenolic compounds have been added to a basal medium that simulates the composition of wine. Fifty milligrams per litre or more of phenolic compounds stimulated bacterial growth. Oenococcus oeni seemed to use citric acid and trehalose, if they were present, before glucose and fructose. Citrate was completely exhausted in three days and the yield of acetate was higher when phenolic compounds were present.
Conclusions: Phenolic compounds reduced the rate of sugar consumption and enhanced citric acid consumption, increasing the yield of acetic acid.
Significance and impact of the study: This study allows a better knowledge of co-metabolism of citric acid and sugars by O. oeni in the presence of phenolic compounds of wine.