Effects of Different Non-Saccharomyces Strains in Simultaneous and Sequential Co-Fermentations with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the Quality Characteristics of Kiwi Wine

With the increasing awareness of health, more people have shown a preference for low-alcohol beverages. Seeking various methods to improve the quality of kiwi wine is now a major research interest in the wine industry. In this study, kiwi wine was fermented by <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> and different non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> strains (<i>Torulaspora delbrueckii</i>, <i>Kluyveromyces thermotolerans</i>, <i>Pichia fermentans</i>) in three methods (pure fermentation, simultaneous, and sequential co-fermentation). The physicochemical characteristics, color parameters, phenolic profiles, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activities, organic acids, and taste sense of the different wines were evaluated to determine the effects of different yeasts and fermentation methods on the quality of the kiwi wine. Results indicated that co-fermentation reduced the contents of alcohol while enhancing the lightness of the kiwi wine. The TPC of sequential co-fermentation with <i>K. thermotolerans</i>/<i>S. cerevisiae</i> was significantly higher than that of their simultaneous co-fermentation. Compared to <i>K. thermotolerans</i>/<i>S. cerevisiae</i>, the antioxidant activities were increased by co-fermentation of <i>T. delbrueckii</i>/<i>S. cerevisiae</i> and <i>P. fermentans</i>/<i>S. cerevisiae</i>. Principal component analysis showed that kiwi wines fermented by different yeasts and inoculation methods could be separated and grouped. Correlation analysis presented positive correlations of phenolic composition, antioxidant activities, and color intensity. This study provided theoretical guidance for co-fermentation of non-<i>Saccharomyces</i>/<i>S. cerevisiae</i> and accelerated the industrialization process of kiwi wine.