Influence of ethanol and temperature on the cellular fatty acid composition of Zygosaccharomyces bailii spoilage yeasts.

Changes in the fatty acid profile of Zygosaccharomyces bailii strains, isolated from different sources, after growth at increasing concentrations of ethanol and/or decreasing temperatures were determined. Differences in fatty acid composition between Zygosaccharomyces bailii strains at standard conditions (25 degrees C, 0% initial ethanol) were observed and could be related to ethanol tolerance. Zygosaccharomyces bailii strain isolated from wine showed the highest ethanol tolerance in relation to growth rate. Surprisingly, an increase in ethanol concentration or a decrease in growth temperature caused a decrease in the degree of unsaturation of total cellular fatty acids. On the other hand, the mean chain length increased (high ethanol concentration) or decreased (low temperature) depending on the stress factor. When both stress situations (high ethanol concentration and low temperature) were present at the same time, the degree of unsaturation remained approximately constant. With decreasing temperatures, the C16/C18 ratio increased in studies of initial ethanol content below 5%, and above 5% ethanol, decreased.