Abstract
Screening of suitable yeast strains is essential for high-quality fruit wine production. In this study, twelve Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeasts were evaluated for their performance in fermenting peach wines. Results showed that all strains completed alcoholic fermentation and produced ethanol levels within the typical range for fruit wines. Saccharomyces strains had higher ethanol production ability. Non-Saccharomyces yeast-fermented peach wines showed higher sugar-free extract and acidity. Fermentation by different yeast strains resulted in diverse characteristics of phenolic and volatile profiles in peach wines. The peach wine fermented by S. cerevisiae strain EC1118 was characterized by improved color parameters and higher antioxidant capacity. The non-Saccharomyces yeasts tended to produce more esters than alcohols. The Saccharomyces strains favored the production of alcohols more than esters. P. fermentans 33372 yielded a higher level of ethyl esters. I. orientalis 31129 produced higher levels of isoeugenol, linalool, and β-damascenone. Overall, non-Saccharomyces yeast strains appeared more promising for use on their own or in co-fermentation with S. cerevisiae strains to produce peach wines with a higher level of volatile organic compounds.