Genetic and technological characterisation of vineyard- and winery-associated lactic acid bacteria.

Vineyard- and winery-associated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from two major PDO regions in Greece, Peza and Nemea, were surveyed. LAB were isolated from grapes, fermenting musts, and winery tanks performing spontaneous malolactic fermentations (MLF). Higher population density and species richness were detected in Nemea than in Peza vineyards and on grapes than in fermenting musts.

Performance of two potential probiotic Lactobacillus strains from the olive microbiota as starters in the fermentation of heat shocked green olives.

The performance of two potential probiotic Lactobacillus strains from olive microbiota, namely L. pentosus B281 and L. plantarum B282 was assessed as starter cultures in Spanish-style fermentation of heat shocked green olives cv.

Bacterial species associated with sound and Botrytis-infected grapes from a Greek vineyard.

Grape bacterial microbiota plays central roles in the quality of grapes and wine, yet its diversity remains poorly described. In the present study, bacterial species associated with sound and Botrytis-infected grapes of two cultivars originating from the same vineyard were assessed. Isolates were identified by PCR-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and sequence analysis of partial 16S rRNA gene.

Candida olivae sp. nov., a novel yeast species from 'Greek-style' black olive fermentation.

Two yeast strains (FMCC Y-1(T) and FMCC Y-2) were recovered during a survey of the yeast biota associated with fermenting black olives, collected from an olive tree (Olea europaea L. cv. 'Conservolea') orchard in Central Greece.

Kazachstania hellenica sp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast from a Botrytis-affected grape must fermentation.

Four ascomycetous yeast strains (D4W13, D9W2, D9W4 and D9W17T) were isolated from Botrytis-affected fermenting grape juice originating from Attica Province, Greece. Phylogenetic analysis of rRNA gene sequences (18S, 26S and 5.8S-ITS) showed that the four strains represent a distinct species within the genus Kazachstania, closely related to Kazachstania zonata NBRC 100504T and Kazachstania gamospora NBRC 11056T.

Yeast community structures and dynamics in healthy and Botrytis-affected grape must fermentations.

Indigenous yeast population dynamics during the fermentation of healthy and Botrytis-affected grape juice samples from two regions in Greece, Attica and Arcadia, were surveyed. Species diversity was evaluated by using restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence analyses of the 5.8S internal transcribed spacer and the D1/D2 ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions of cultivable yeasts.

Yeast populations residing on healthy or botrytis-infected grapes from a vineyard in Attica, Greece.

The yeast flora associated with healthy and Botrytis-infected grapes was assessed. Molecular identification methods assigned isolates to six genera and nine species. For the first time Hanseniaspora opuntiae was encountered as an inhabitant of the grape ecosystem.