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The reduction of alcohol content in wines has two main objectives, the former is decreasing the wines’ strength and the latter is producing new low alcohol beverages. To accomplish the latter, in this study, we focused on the dealcoholization of a white wine (cv Falanghina, 12.5 vol%) obtained from an ancient Italian grape variety that has recently aroused a renewed interest. It was dealcoholized at various alcohol content levels ranging from 9.8 to 0.3 vol% through the osmotic distillation process, and the main quality parameters of the obtained dealcoholized samples were evaluated. No significant differences (p < 0.05) in total phenols, flavonoids, organic acids and total acidity were observed among the wine samples at different alcohol content levels. On the contrary, the volatile compounds content decreased with increasing alcohol removal. Specifically, almost 50% of higher alcohols with acids and lactones were preserved in dealcoholized wine at 9.8 vol% alcohol content, but this percentage reduced to 30% in the sample at 6.8 vol%, and was even lower in the dealcoholized wine with lower alcohol content. It was argued that the transport of volatile compounds through the membrane, beside the membrane selectivity, is highly correlated with the Henry constant (R2 > 0.8021 for 9.8 vol% of dealcoholized wine). Moreover, results of the sensory evaluation indicated a significant change in terms of acidity, odour, sweetness and body taste in dealcoholized wine (0.3 vol%), giving an overall perceived imbalance and unacceptable taste with respect to the original wine. Therefore, in order to balance acid sensation and enhance body and aftertaste, an attempt was made to formulate an alcohol-free wine-based beverage with enhanced odour and sweetness, by adding some floral wine flavours, up to the amount present in the original wine.

Background and Aims Post‐veraison trimming and defoliation have been proposed as strategies to decrease the concentration of berry carbohydrate at harvest and of wine alcohol, but it is unclear which of these two pruning techniques is more suitable and at what intensity they should be applied. The aim of this 3‐year study was to compare the suitability of two intensities of post‐veraison trimming or defoliation in controlling sugar accumulation in the berries of Aglianico grapevines. Methods and Results Five treatments were compared: two intensities of defoliation, two intensities of shoot trimming and a control. All pruning treatments decreased berry TSS at harvest and wine alcohol concentration. Defoliation and trimming of moderate intensity also improved wine sensory score, whereas intense defoliation and trimming can affect negatively this parameter. Conclusions Post‐veraison defoliation and trimming of moderate intensity appear to be suitable strategies for decreasing berry TSS at harvest and wine alcohol concentration. Significance of the Study The selection of the correct intensity of leaf removal appears to be one of the critical factors in correctly designing a suitable strategy of post‐veraison summer pruning that aims to decrease sugar accumulation in the berries, whereas the choice of the type of pruning appears to be less crucial.

The non-Saccharomyces yeasts represent a great richness for the production of new and different types of beers. In this study, the role of eight yeast strains (Saccharomycodes ludwigii, Metchnikowia pulcherrima, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Hanseniaspora osmophila and Brettanomyces bruxellensis) isolated from Asturian cider and belonging to five unconventional species was evaluated. None of the strains could ferment the main wort sugars (maltose and maltotriose). Beers produced by S. ludwigii strains showed the highest ethanol content (21.6 g/L) and interestingly high levels of fusel alcohols, fatty esters and isoamyl acetate. Strains of B. bruxellensis were the only ones that produced ethyl phenols and they also generated the highest concentration of fatty acids and their ethyl esters. Sucrose was not utilised by Metschnikowia and Hanseniaspora strains, resulting in low ethanol formation (4.7 g/L), although these yeasts differed in terms of their synthesis of volatile compounds. Larger amounts of fatty acid esters were detected in beers fermented by H. osmophyla 10, while H. uvarum 62 produced more 2-phenylethyl acetate and ethyl acetate. M. pulcherrima 301 stands out for its low fermentative capacity and production of volatile compounds. These results show the interest of non-Saccharomyces strains in the production of beers with low alcohol content and their potential use in developing new beer styles in sequential or mixed inoculations with S. cerevisiae strains.

The growing interest in non-alcoholic and low alcohol beers (NABLAB) has fuelled research into innovative production methods. One means to produce NABLAB is through limited fermentation by non-Saccharomyces yeasts which have a naturally low fermentative capacity in cereal-based wort substrates. At the same time, adjunct brewing, the partial replacement of barley malt on the grain bill, enjoys growing popularity. In this study, 13 cereals, pseudocereals, and pulses were investigated for their suitability to produce a wort with limited amounts of fermentable sugars. Subsequently, the fermentation performance of two non-Saccharomyces yeast strains, namely Cyberlindnera subsufficiens C6.1 and Lachancea fermentati KBI 12.1, in the produced worts was investigated and compared to that of a brewers’ yeast strain. The worts were produced by harnessing endogenous amylolytic enzyme activity or the addition of an external amylase and analysed for their sugar composition and free amino acids (FAA) profile. All alternative substrates without endogenous β-amylase activity were found to be suitable for producing worts with a high proportion of unfermentable sugars. However, the extract yield was low for the pulses and most worts exhibited a low and/or unbalanced FAA profile. The ethanol production was limited and mostly dependent on the sugar spectrum of the worts and the sugar utilization characteristics of the applied yeast strains. The (partial) substitution of barley with alternative substrates when producing NABLAB by non-Saccharomyces yeast can be a means to alter the sugar and FAA profile of the wort, but must be considered in concert with the yeast strains’ characteristics.

A comparative study was performed to better understand the feasibility of osmotic distillation as a process to produce a low-alcohol beer. Four diverse commercial beers styles were considered. The regular and corresponding dealcoholised beers were compared. The quality attributes and the volatile compounds loss after the dealcoholisation were checked. The work focused on the sensory properties of the obtained samples. A trained panel evaluated how the chosen sensory descriptors were influenced by the treatment. The results of quality attributes and volatile compounds were in line with works previously published by the authors. Interestingly, the results highlighted that beer characterized by malty character is more suitable than pale lager to be dealcoholised by the osmotic distillation process. The low alcohol milk stout and stout flavour profile, especially in terms of taste, was like the corresponding regular beer. Osmotic distillation was demonstrated to be a feasible process to produce low-alcohol beer.

One of the most prominent consequences of global climate warming for the wine industry is a clear increase of the sugar content in grapes, and thus the alcohol level in wines. Among the several approaches to address this important issue, this review focuses on biotechnological solutions, mostly relying on the selection and improvement of wine yeast strains for reduced ethanol yields. Other possibilities are also presented. Researchers are resorting to both S. cerevisiae and alternative wine yeast species for the lowering of alcohol yields. In addition to the use of selected strains under more or less standard fermentation conditions, aerobic fermentation is increasingly being explored for this purpose. Genetic improvement is also playing a role in the development of biotechnological tools to counter the increase in the wine alcohol levels. The use of recombinant wine yeasts is restricted to research, but its contribution to the advancement of the field is still relevant. Furthermore, genetic improvement by non-GMO approaches is providing some interesting results, and will probably result in the development of commercial yeast strains with a lower alcohol yield in the near future. The optimization of fermentation processes using natural isolates is, anyway, the most probable source of advancement in the short term for the production of wines with lower alcohol contents.

Societal Impact Statement Climate warming and demand for fuller‐bodied wines has resulted in increased grape sugar contents and, therefore, increased alcohol in wines. Concurrently, there are increased warnings about the health risks of alcohol, and consumers seek low‐alcohol options as part of a healthy lifestyle. High alcohol levels can also impact the flavor balance of wines, resulting in economic losses. However, exploration of native vineyard yeasts shows that fermentation with novel species can result in both alcohol reduction and improved wine flavor. Our findings show that native yeasts have the potential to bring the North American cool‐climate wine industry into a healthier future. Summary There is recent interest in developing wines fermented with non‐traditional yeasts that reflect the microbial terroir of the grape‐growing region. These native yeasts inhabit grape skins and can produce wines with distinctive flavor profiles, and when used in concert with traditional wine yeast, the risk of incomplete fermentation is minimized. Non‐traditional yeasts can also produce wines with relatively low alcohol content, an attractive characteristic given the health and societal issues associated with overconsumption. Yeasts isolated from L'Acadie and Pinot Noir grapes grown at Nova Scotia vineyards were identified by DNA sequencing and characterized regarding fermentative properties. Promising isolates of Saccharomyces uvarum, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, and Zygotorulaspora florentina were selected for mixed and sequential fermentations with Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on their ethanol and SO2 tolerance, β‐glucosidase activity, and low H2S production. The resulting wines were evaluated for sensory properties by 15 experienced panelists. Alcohol levels of many of the fermentations that included non‐traditional yeasts were significantly lower than those made with traditional yeast alone, while fructose was higher, and total phenolic contents were similar. Experienced panelists also found that these fermentations resulted in wines with novel fruit and floral attributes. Our results demonstrate that native yeasts from cool‐climate wine regions can be used in concert with traditional wine yeast to produce novel, lower alcohol wines with a low risk of fermentation failure. This unlocks the potential of naturally occurring yeasts from these vineyards to create wines with flavor profiles that reflect the local wine‐making regions. Climate warming and demand for fuller‐bodied wines has resulted in increased grape sugar contents, and therefore increased alcohol in wines. Concurrently, there are increased warnings about the health risks of alcohol, and consumers seek low‐alcohol options as part of a healthy lifestyle. High alcohol levels can also impact the flavour balance of wines, resulting in economic losses. However, exploration of native vineyard yeasts shows that fermentation with novel species can result in both alcohol reduction and improved wine flavour. Our findings show that native yeasts have the potential to bring the North American cool‐climate wine industry into a healthier future.

Low alcohol wine is a new entry in the global wine market, due to the increase in consumers’ concern for health, economic and modern lifestyle issues. As low alcohol products are prone to spoilage, the adoption of natural-derived products with antimicrobial activity as biopreservatives seems to be an intriguing alternative. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the possible antimicrobial properties of Citrus medica and Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils (EOs) and assess their commercial prospective in the wine industry. The main constituents identified by GC/MS analysis were limonene (38.46%) and linalool (35.44%) in C. medica EO, whereas trans-cinnamic-aldehyde (63.58%) was the dominant compound in C. zeylanicum EO. The minimum inhibitory (MIC), non-inhibitory (NIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) values against common wine spoilage microbes were initially determined. Subsequently, their efficiency was further validated in low alcohol (~6% vol) wines, either separately or in combination at 0.010% (v/v), as well as in wines deliberately inoculated with Gluconobacter cerinus, Oenococcus oeni, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Dekkera bruxellensis, Candida zemplinina, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Pichia guilliermondii or Zygosaccharomyces bailii. EO addition led to considerable spoilage and microbial growth delay during storage at room or refrigerated temperature, suggesting their potential use as wine biopreservatives.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), a key enzyme for detoxification the ethanol metabolite acetaldehyde, is recognized as a promising therapeutic target to treat alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Disulfiram, a potent ALDH2 inhibitor, is an approved drug for the treatment of AUD but has clinical limitations due to its side effects. This study aims to elucidate the relative contribution of different organs in acetaldehyde clearance through ALDH2 by using global-(Aldh2 −/−) and tissue-specific Aldh2-deficient mice, and to examine whether liver-specific ALDH2 inhibition can prevent alcohol-seeking behavior. Aldh2 −/− mice showed markedly higher acetaldehyde concentrations than wild-type (WT) mice after acute ethanol gavage. Acetaldehyde levels in hepatocyte-specific Aldh2 knockout (Aldh2 Hep−/−) mice were significantly higher than those in WT mice post gavage, but did not reach the levels observed in Aldh2 −/− mice. Energy expenditure and motility were dramatically dampened in Aldh2 −/− mice, but moderately decreased in Aldh2 Hep−/− mice compared to controls. In the 2-bottle paradigm and the drinking-in-the-dark model, Aldh2 −/− mice drank negligible volumes from ethanol-containing bottles, whereas Aldh2 Hep−/− mice showed reduced alcohol preference at high but not low alcohol concentrations. Glial cell- or neuron-specific Aldh2 deficiency did not affect voluntary alcohol consumption. Finally, specific liver Aldh2 knockdown via injection of shAldh2 markedly decreased alcohol preference. In conclusion, although the liver is the major organ responsible for acetaldehyde metabolism, a cumulative effect of ALDH2 from other organs likely also contributes to systemic acetaldehyde clearance. Liver-targeted ALDH2 inhibition can decrease heavy drinking without affecting moderate drinking, providing molecular basis for hepatic ALDH2 targeting/editing for the treatment of AUD.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global epidemic associated with increased health expenditure, and low quality of life. Many non-genetic risk factors have been suggested, but their overall epidemiological credibility has not been assessed. We searched PubMed to capture all meta-analyses and Mendelian randomization studies for risk factors of T2DM. For each association, we estimated the summary effect size, its 95% confidence and prediction interval, and the I2 metric. We examined the presence of small-study effects and excess significance bias. We assessed the epidemiological credibility through a set of predefined criteria. We captured 86 eligible papers (142 associations) covering a wide range of biomarkers, medical conditions, and dietary, lifestyle, environmental and psychosocial factors. Adiposity, low hip circumference, serum biomarkers (increased level of alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, uric acid and C-reactive protein, and decreased level of adiponectin and vitamin D), an unhealthy dietary pattern (increased consumption of processed meat and sugar-sweetened beverages, decreased intake of whole grains, coffee and heme iron, and low adherence to a healthy dietary pattern), low level of education and conscientiousness, decreased physical activity, high sedentary time and duration of television watching, low alcohol drinking, smoking, air pollution, and some medical conditions (high systolic blood pressure, late menarche age, gestational diabetes, metabolic syndrome, preterm birth) presented robust evidence for increased risk of T2DM. A healthy lifestyle pattern could lead to decreased risk for T2DM. Future randomized clinical trials should focus on identifying efficient strategies to modify harmful daily habits and predisposing dietary patterns.