Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Key research areas in modern enology are related to the production of wine of consistent quality, as well as to the improvement of existing wine quality through the enhancement of the sensory properties of wine. The formation of glycerol during alcoholic fermentation is highly relevant to both these issues. Since the early years of the zo" century, glycerol has been positively associated with the quality of wine and it is thought to impart important mouth-feel sensations such as "viscosity", "smoothness" and "body". In general, it is considered that glycerol concentrations higher than those normally found in wine, can contribute towards the improvement of wine quality. It has also been suggested that increased concentrations of glycerol can enhance the aroma of wine. On the basis of these perceptions, several strategies have been developed to favour the production of glycerol during the fermentation process and over a period of years, a large volume of data has been collected that relates to various aspects regarding glycerol production during alcoholic fermentation. To date, however, several aspects regarding the relationship between glycerol and wine quality remain unclear. The reasons for this situation can mainly be ascribed to the lack of reliable analytical data to serve as a basis for investigating the relationship between glycerol and wine quality, as well as the preponderance of empirical and anecdotal evidence. Despite numerous opinions regarding optimal glycerol concentrations in wine, glycerol is indeed seldom assayed on a routine basis and targets with respect to specific wine grape cultivars and glycerol concentrations have largely remained unspecified. To date, very little information regarding glycerol concentrations in South African wines has been published. The analytical techniques that are most frequently used for the quantification of glycerol in grape juice, fermenting must and wine are not easily automated and this aspect placed severe limitations on the generation of large volumes of analytical data on glycerol concentrations in these matrices. This project was undertaken with the aim to holistically address some of the unresolved issues relating to the relationship between glycerol and wine quality. This also implied the development and optimisation of analytical techniques suitable for the rapid and accurate determination of glycerol in fermentation media, as well as in finished wine. In the first stage of this project a quantitative database was established that contained the analytical data on the glycerol concentrations of a statistically significant number of wines of adjudged quality, as well as additional information for each wine regarding the geographic origin, vintage, routine chemical analyses and the yeast strain(s) used for the production of the wine. The relevance of glycerol in wine for the modern South African winemaker was evaluated through the establishment of a quantitative database that contained the opinions of an expert panel of 15 South African winemakers, enologists and wine chemists on topics relating to glycerol in wine. In the second stage of the project the data captured in the databases were used to investigate aspects regarding the relationship between glycerol and wine quality. From the data captured in the qualitative database, it was clear that the topic regarding glycerol in wine was important to the South African winemakers and it was also evident that there was a need for the development and optimisation of methods suitable for the routine analysis of the glycerol concentrations in grape juice, fermenting must and wine. The opinions of the panel members also highlighted the issue that the mouth-feel property of wine was considered to be an area where the quality of some wines could be further improved. The quantitative database contained the information on the glycerol concentrations of 450 commercial South African table wines of adjudged quality. The premium cultivars Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Sauvignon blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Pinotage were used for the purpose of investigating the relationship between glycerol concentration and wine quality. The wines represented a wide variety of wine styles, including dry white, off-dry white, dry red and late harvest wines. The average glycerol concentration was significantly associated with the wine style. In white wines the average glycerol concentration was much lower than in the red wines (6.82 gIL versus 10.49 gIL, respectively). No significant relationship between the final glycerol concentration and the geographic origin, vintage and the yeast strain used for the fermentation was found. Wine quality could not be significantly associated with glycerol concentration in the red wines. In the white wines, the relationship between glycerol concentration and wine quality was significant, but due to the very small differences in the average glycerol concentrations of the wines of different quality ratings, the statistical significance is probably of little practical value. The effect of glycerol on the volatility of a selection of esters and higher alcohols was also investigated. Solid-phase microextraction, followed by gas chromatography, was used to analyse the composition of the headspace at equilibrium between the liquid phase and the gas phase of a model wine, and a dry white wine that contained a basal concentration of 5.4 gIL glycerol. Results showed that incremental increases in the glycerol concentrations over a range of 1 -10 gIL in the model wine and in a Chenin blanc wine, were not accompanied by a proportional increase or decrease in the abundance of the aroma components in the headspace. The volatile components tested were isoamyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl valerate, ethyl lactate, ethyl hexanoate, hexyl acetate, isoamyl alcohol and isobutanol. For all the volatile components tested, the difference between the headspace composition of samples containing the lowest glycerol concentration, and those containing the highest glycerol concentration, was not significant. However, sufficient experimental evidence was obtained to indicate that increasing glycerol concentrations had an effect on the volatility of aroma components, and that the effect is of a complex and non-linear nature. In the third phase of the work Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to establish and optimise methods for the accurate and rapid quantification of glycerol in wine. For this purpose calibrations were developed for the quantification of glycerol in dry wine and late harvest wines. The accuracy of prediction was evaluated by means of the standard error of prediction that was 0.38 gIL for the dry wines and 0.65 gIL for the sweet wines. Large variations are introduced in the FT-IR spectra of wine by factors such as process technology, cultivar and geographic origin, and this variation can have an effect on the accuracy of the analytical data generated when employing FT-IR spectroscopy. Using glycerol prediction in wine as a model system, principal component analysis of the FT-IR spectra was done in order to establish quality control measures for the detection of poorly predicted, or outlier samples. A classification model, based on principal component analysis, was established that enabled the interpretation and classification of the outlier samples in the data set in 100% of the cases tested. This work forms the basis for expanding the quality control measures for the detection of wines of which the FT-IR spectra are highly unnatural, as well as for establishing quality control measures to ensure that accurate analytical data are generated when FT-IR is used. FT-IR spectroscopy was also used to develop a rapid screen for the evaluation of the fermentation profiles of wine yeasts. For this purpose, a selection of wine yeasts, which included commercial wine yeasts frequently used in winemaking in South Africa, as well as a selection of hybrid Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts, that were obtained through a selective breeding strategy aimed at increasing glycerol concentrations were used. Calibrations necessary for the accurate quantification of glycerol, volatile acidity, ethanol, reducing sugar and glucose, in Chenin blanc must and a synthetic must were developed and optimised. This work forms the basis upon which the scope of the analysis, both in terms of the number of components that can be measured, as well as the medium in which the yeasts are being evaluated, can be enlarged. This would be valuable for future applications in both the research as well as the industrial environment. The method that was developed serves to illustrate how this application can play a supportive role in yeast development programmes, through the speeding up of the initial stages of yeast strain evaluation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing in moderne wynkunde is sterk gefokus op die produksie van wyn waarvan die kwaliteit van In volhoubare goeie peil is, sowel as die verdere verbetering van bestaande wynkwaliteit, deur In verhoging van die sensoriese eienskappe van wyn. Die vorming van gliserol tydens alkoholiese fermentasie het betrekking op beide hierdie aspekte. In Opvatting wat wyd gehuldig word en wat reeds sedert die vroeë jare van die 20e eeu geld, impliseer dat gliserol In positiewe bydrae lewer tot wynkwaliteit. Oor die algemeen word dit beskou dat gliserolvlakke hoër as wat normaalweg in wyn aangetref word, kan bydra om die kwaliteit van die wyn nog verder te vehoog. Daar is ook spekulasie dat verhoogde gliserolvlakke in wyn die intensiteit van die aroma van wyn kan verhoog. Hierdie opvattings het tot gevolg gehad dat veskeie strategieë ontwikkel is om die gliserol vlakke wat tydens die fermentasieproses gevorm word, te verhoog. Baie min inligting oor die gliserolinhoud van Suid-Afrikaanse wyn is tot onlangs gepubliseer. Ten spyte van die opvattings oor gliserol en wynkwaliteit wat reeds oor In lang tydperk gehuldig word, bly sekere aspekte van die verwantskap tussen gliserol en wynkwaliteit nog steeds onduidelik. Redes vir hierdie situasie kan hoofsaaklik toegeskryf word aan die totale afwesigheid van betroubare en substansiële eksperimentele data wat as basis kan dien vir die evaluering van die algemene opvattings aangaande die verwantskap tussen gliserol en wynkwaliteit. Die inligting wat wel beskikbaar is, is verder ook oorwegend van In empiriese aard. Huidig word gliserol selde op In roetine basis in die analitiese laboratorium bepaal, hoofsaaklik omdat die bestaande metodes tydrowend is en nie maklik geoutomatiseer kan word nie. In hierdie studie is In kwantitatiewe databasis opgestel waarin die inligting ten opsigte van die gliserolvlakke van 450 kommersiële Suid-Afrikaanse tafelwyne waarvan die kwaliteit beoordeel is, vervat is. Die kultivars Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Sauvignon blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz en Pinotage is gebruik vir hierdie doel en die seleksie van wyne was verteenwoordigend van In wye verskeidenheid wynstyle, insluitende droë wit-, halfdroë wit-, droë rooi- en laatoeswyne. Die gemiddelde gliserolvlakke in die witwyne was heelwat laer as die gemidelde gliserolvlakke in die droë rooiwyne (6.82 gIL teenoor 10.49 gIL, onderskeidelik). Geen beduidende verwantskap kon aangetoon word tussen die gliserolkonsentrasie in die wyn en die geografiese oorsprong, oesjaar, en die gisras wat gebruik is in die produksie van die wyn nie. Die kwaliteit van rooiwyn kon nie beduidend met die gliserolkonsentrasie geassosieer word nie. In die geval van wit wyn was die verwantskap statisties beduidend, maar die verskille was klein en moontlik nie van veel praktiese waarde nie. Die aktualiteit van gliserol vir die moderne Suid-Afrikaanse wynmaker is geëvalueer op grond van die opinies van In paneel van 15 Suid-Afrikaanse kundiges, rakende aspekte wat verband hou met die algemene opvattings oor gliserol en wyn. Die paneel het bestaan uit wynmakers, wynkundiges en chemici. Die opinie van die panel is deur middel van "n vraelys bekom en is vervat in "n kwalitatiewe databasis. Die resultate van hierdie menigspeiling het getoon dat gliserol wel vir die Suid- Afrikaanse wynmakers belangrik is en dit het ook die behoefte uitgewys vir die ontwikkeling en optimisering van metodes wat geskik is vir die roetine analyses van gliserol in wyn. Die invloed van gliserol op die vlugtigheid van "n seleksie van hoëralkohole en esters is ondersoek in "n model wyn sowel as "n wit wyn, waarvan die basiese gliserolkonsentrasie 5.4 gIL was. Soliede-fase mikroekstraksie van die gasfase van wyn is opgevolg met "n gaschromatografiese analise. Resultate het getoon dat "n stapsgewyse toename in die gliserol konsentrasie, oor "n konsentrasie reeks van 0 - 10 gIL in die model wyn, en 0 - 15 gIL in die wit wyn, nie gepaard gegaan het met "n reglynige toename of afname in die konsentrasie van die aromakomponente nie. Vir al die komponente wat ondersoek is, was die samestelling van die gasfase in monsters wat die laagste gliserol konsentrasie gehad het, teenoor dié wat die hoogste gliserol konsentrasie gehad het, nie beduidend nie. Nietemin het die resultate getoon dat gliserol wel "n effek het op die vlugtigheid van die aroma komponente wat in hierdie ondersoek gebruik is, maar dat die aard van die effek kompleks en nie-liniê is. Fourier-transformasie-infrarooispektroskopie (FT-IR) is gebruik om die metodes vir die analise van gliserol in wyn sodanig te optimiser, dat vinnige en akkurate bepalings op "n roetine basis in wyn gedoen kan word. Kalibrasies is ontwikkel vir die kwantifisering van gliserol in droëwyn en laatoeswyn. Die standaard voorspellingsfout van die kalibrasies wat ontwikkel is, was 0.38 gIL in droëwyn en 0.65 gIL in die geval van laatoeswyn. Inherente variasie in die FT-IR-spektra word deur eksterne faktore soos die proses tegnologie wat gebruik is om die wyn te berei, die kultivar en geografiese oorsprong van die wyn veroorsaak en hierdie variasie kan "n effek hê op die voorspelingsakkuraatheid van FT-IR spektroskopie. Om die effek van hierdie variasie op die akkuraarheid van die analitiese data te evalueer, is die voorspelling van gliserol as modelsisteem gebruik. Hoofkomponentanalise van die FT-IR spektra is gedoen om dié wyne met onnatuurlike FT-IR-spektra te identifiseer, ten einde beheer oor die akkuraatheid van die analitiese data uit te oefen. "n Verdere model wat ook gebaseer is op hoofkomponentanalise van die FT-IR-wynspektra is ontwikkel vir die interpretasie en klassifikasie van wynmonsters met onnatuurlike FT-IRspektra. Met die model wat ontwikkel is kon onnatuurlike wynmonsters met "n akkuraatheid van 100% gëidentifiseer word. Hierdie werk vorm die basis waarop kwaliteitsbeheer verder uitgebrei kan word sodat wyne met onnatuurlike spektra gëidentifiseer kan word, sowel as om te verseker dat akkurate data gegenereer word as FT-IR as analitiese metode gebruik word vir die kwantifisering van gliserol in wyn. FT-IR spektroskopie is ook gebruik om "n vinnige skandeerproses te ontwikkel waarmee die fermentasieprofiele van wyngiste geëvalueer kan word. Die seleksie giste wat vir hierdie doel gebruik is, sluit kommersiële Suid-Afrikaanse wyngiste in, sowel as hibriede Saccharomyces cerevisia-giste wat normaalweg hoër vlakke van gliserol tydens die fermentasieproses produseer. Kalibrasies is ontwikkel vir die akkurate kwantifisering van gliserol, vlugtige suur, alkohol, reduserende suiker en glukose, in Chenin blanc-mos sowel as in 'n sintetiese medium. Hierdie werk vorm die basis waarop verdere uitbreidings gedoen kan word, sodat meer metaboliete gemeet kan word en 'n groter verskeidenheid van fermentasiemedia gebruik kan word. Hierdie ontwikkeling is waardevol vir toekomstige toepassings in die navorsings- sowel as die industriële omgewing. Die metode wat ontwikkel is illustreer ook hoe hierdie toepassing 'n ondersteunende rol kan speel in wyngisontwikkelingsprogramme deur die aanvanklike evalueringsproses van die giste te versnel.

Thesis(DScAgric.)--Stellenbosch University, 1932. / No Abstract Available

Thesis (PhD(Agric))--Stellenbosch University, 1970. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The terms business model and business model innovation have only gained prominence over the past two decades, whilst little of the research has been applied in a South African context. The main objective of this thesis was to ascertain the reasons for success of a local business through the research and application of the themes of business models, business model innovation and blue ocean strategy to a local organisation. The subject matter of the thesis was Van Loveren Family Wine Cellar, a family-owned South African wine farm that has seen significant success over the past 15 years in a highly competitive and fragmented local market. To complete this process, it was also necessary to gain an understanding of both the global and local wine industries, and how South Africa has grown within this environment. The format of the thesis is a case study, selected because of its relevance to gaining a rich understanding of the context of the research and the processes enacted, thereby facilitating the main objectives. The case study approach also provides a tool to aid in the education of business strategy students, allowing the principles to be applied to new scenarios. The findings of the study include that there has been a shift in both consumption and production of wine from the traditional Old World to the innovative New World. This shift is being driven by new consumers of wine who are less concerned with the mystique and legacy of Old World wine, instead demanding wines that fit their lifestyles through easy drinking taste profiles with an ease of selection. This phenomenon is present in South Africa, where growth in the market is seen at lower price points. New consumers who are selecting wines that compete with existing alcohol alternatives as gateway products are driving this demand. Van Loveren launched their Four Cousins Rosé in 2000, with exponential growth experienced between 2004 and 2008, driving the product to be one of South Africa’s best-selling brands. The findings of the study were that the Van Loveren Family Cellar had positioned itself, through business model innovation, to capture the growth in new wine drinkers. Van Loveren had built a business model that provided a framework within which strategy can take on competitors. Core to their success were the long-term relationships with key buyers and the collaborative partnerships that allowed Van Loveren to utilise external capabilities as part of their own business. The success was also based on the leap of faith to enter the market in a sweeter taste profile, through the development of a brand that resonated with consumers, and in packaging that provided an attractive price point. The combination of these decisions allowed Van Loveren to capture uncontested market and grow exponentially.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 1958. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming

Thesis (MA) -- Stellenbosch University, 1932. / VOORWOORD: Die doel van hierdie verhandleing is in die eerste plek om daarop te wys dat in Suid-Afrika meer wyn geproduseer word as wat tans van die hand gesit kan word teen 'n prys wat die produsente genoegsaam sal vergoed. Uit die oorproduksie en die heersende lae pryse volg dit dat die posiesie van die wynboere erg kritiek en haglik is. Die industrie gaan nou juis weer deur diepe waters en iets moet gedoen word om die bedryf van ondergang te red en vir die toekoms op 'n vaste basis te plaas.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 1969. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming

Thesis MSc(Agric)--Stellenbosch University, 1979. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During fermentation, nitrogenous compounds serve as nutrients for the yeasts, which enable their growth, functioning and maintenance of the yeasts cells. From a winemaking perspective, a certain amount of nitrogen is required for the yeasts in order to avoid sluggish or stuck fermentation. Moreover, nitrogen metabolism leads to the production of aroma compounds such as higher alcohols, fatty acids and esters which contribute positively to overall sensory characteristics of wine. Nitrogen metabolism (uptake of ammonium and amino acids) have been extensively studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nonetheless, the fairly great variances observed between strains in terms of preference for certain nitrogen sources and metabolism thereof are not so well understood. Additionally, these mechanisms nitrogen metabolism of non- Saccharomyces yeasts are even vaguer and simply assumed to be globally similar to those of S. cerevisiae. This study aimed to investigate the uptake of nitrogen compounds (ammonium and individual amino acids) by selected non-Saccharomyces yeasts (Lachancea thermotolerans IWBT Y1240, Torulaspora delbrueckii Biodiva TD291, Pichia kluyveri FrootZen, Metschnikowia pulcherrima IWBT Y1123 and Metschnikowia pulcherrima Flavia) to assess the impact of fermentation kinetics and the production of aroma compounds during sequential fermentations with S. cerevisiae under different initial YAN concentrations, with 300 mg/L, 150 mg/L and 75 mg/L, respectively). Fermentations were performed in a synthetic grape juice medium with pure and sequential fermentations. The data showed that the assimilation of nitrogen compounds were species specific. For example, L. thermotolerans preferred alpha amino nitrogen above ammonia, where the opposite hold true for T. delbrueckii. Notable differences could also be identified for the uptake of certain single amino acids. Irrespective of the initial YAN concentrations during sequential fermentations, the yeasts only assimilated about half of the initial YAN. The non-Saccharomyces yeasts did not influence fermentation performance during sequential fermentations. However, a low initial YAN (75 mg/L) had a strong influence on the fermentation kinetics and aroma compound production. The higher uptake (compare to S. cerevisiae) of specific single amino acids by non-Saccharomyces yeasts (especially L. thermotolerans), can be tentatively correlated with certain aroma compounds produced at the end of fermentation. The results also revealed that agitation could impact overall fermentation performance and aroma compound production. This study contributes to an improved understanding of how different initial nitrogen concentrations affect growth, fermentation performances and aroma compound production of wine-related yeasts under fermentative conditions. Moreover, the uptake of single amino acids by selected non-Saccharomyces yeasts had also been identified, which is a good starting point to better understand non- Saccharomyces yeasts nitrogen requirements which may be used for the optimization of nitrogen source addition, during alcoholic fermentation, when used in mixed fermentations in order to ensure a complete alcoholic fermentation. To the best of our knowledge, the uptake of single amino acids and YAN consumption by selected non-Saccharomyces yeasts under fermentation conditions tested, have never been studied before. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tydens wynfermentasies dien talle stikstof komponente as voedingstowwe vir wyngis wat hul groei, funksie en onderhoud bevorder. Van `n wynmaak perspektief word daar `n sekere hoeveelheid stikstof benodig deur die wyngis om te verhoed dat slepende of onvolledige fermentasies plaasvind. Verder lei stikstofmetabolisme na die produksie van aroma verbindings, soos hoër alkohole, vlugtige vetsure en esters wat positief bydra tot die sensoriese karaktereienskappe van wyn. Die stikstofmetabolisme (opneem ammonium en aminosure) is deeglik nagevors in die wyngis Saccharomyces cerevisiae, maar die klein variasies waargeneem tussen die gisras in terme van die voorkeur van sekere stikstof komponente is egter nog onduidelik. Daarbenewens is die stikstofmetabolisme nog meer onbekend in nie- Saccharomyces wyngis en word dit oor die algemeen aanvaar dat die werking van die stikstofmetabolisme dieselfde is as in S. cerevisiae. Hierdie studie het gestreef om die opneem van stikstof komponente (ammonium en aminosure) te ondersoek van uitverkiesde nie-Saccharomyes gis (Lachancea thermotolerans IWBT Y1240, Torulaspora delbrueckii Biodiva TD291, Pichia kluyveri FrootZen, Metschnikowia pulcherrima IWBT Y1123 and Metschnikowia pulcherrima Flavia) deur te bepaal wat die impak is op die groei-kinetika en op die produksie van aroma komponente gedurende gemengde kultuur fermentasies met S. cerevisae onder verskillende aanvangs assimileerbare stikstof (300 mg/L, 150 mg/L en 75 mg/L). Fermentasies is in sintetiese druiwemos uitgevoer vir beide enkel en gemengde kultuur fermentasies. Die resultate demonstreer dat die assimilasie van stikstof ras spesifiek was. Byvoorbeeld, L. thermotolerans verkies alfa amino stikstof bo ammonium waar die teenoorgestelde waar is vir T. delbrueckii. Beduidende verskille is ook waargeneem vir die opneem van sekere individuele aminosure. Die wyngis het steeds net die helfte van die assimileerbare stikstof opgeneem gedurende gemengde kultuur fermentasies ongeag die aanvangsstikstof konsentrasies. Die nie-Saccharomyces gis het nie die fermentasie kinetika beïnvloed tydens gemengde kultuur fermentasies nie. Daar was egter ook waargeneem dat `n lae assimileerbare stikstof (75 mg/L) `n negatiewe invloed op die fermentasie kinetika sowel as aroma produksie gehad het. Die hoër opname (vergelyking met S. cerevisiae) van sekere aminosure deur nie-Saccharomyces gis, kan tydelik gekoppel word aan die produksie van spesifieke aroma verbindings aan die einde van fermentasies. Die resultate het ook gewys dat die toepassing van skud `n impak het op die fermentasie kinetika sowel as die produksie van aroma komponente. Die studie dra by om beter te verstaan van hoe verskillende aanvangsstikstof die groei, fermentasie kinetika en aroma produksie beïnvloed onder fermentasie kondisies. Die opneem van sekere aminosure deur nie-Saccharomyces gis word ook beskryf, wat `n goeie beginpunt is om beter te vertaan wat die stikstof vereistes vir die geselekteerde wyngis is, wat gebruik kan word vir die optimisering van stikstofaanvullings, sodat die risiko van probleemfermentasies verlaag sal word. So ver as wat ons kennis strek is die opneem van aminosure en die gebruik van assimileerbare stikstof deur nie-Saccharomyces wyngis onder fermentasie kondisies nog nie ondersoek nie.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the current study, two isolates showing killer activity against several wine yeast species in a previous study were identified to strain level and found to belong to the yeast species Candida pyralidae. The identified yeast strains and a Kluyveromyces wickerhamii yeast strain used as a control exhibited killer activity against B. bruxellensis known for its spoilage characteristics in red wine, and against several strains of the genus Brettanomyces on white and red grape juice medium. The killer yeasts inhibited neither the growth of S. cerevisiae nor that of the lactic acid bacteria Oenococcus oeni and Lactobacillus plantarum strains. Yeasts are reported to secrete killer toxins, which can play a role in yeast microbial interactions under winemaking conditions. The C. pyralidae strains were found to secrete two novel killer toxins, designated CpKT1 and CpKT2. These killer toxins were stable and active under winemaking conditions, pH 3.5 - 4.5 and temperature ranges between 15 and 25°C. Ethanol and sugar concentrations found during winemaking did not affect the activity and stability of these killer toxins. Although, the killer toxins differed with regards to their biochemical and environmental stability and activity, they were found to have a similar mode of action. The killer toxins induced a fungistatic effect on B. bruxellensis sensitive cells in addition to binding to the cell wall of the sensitive cells, inducing cell surface and plasma membrane damage as did the Kwkt killer toxin secreted by K. wickerhamii. According to the author’s knowledge this is the first report on the identification of novel killer toxins secreted by C. pyralidae strains isolated from a wine environment as well as the identification of the mode of action of killer toxins on B. bruxellensis cells. This indeed provides great research scope in this field. The exoproteomes consisting of the killer toxins Kwkt, CpKT1 and CpKT2 revealed the presence of exo-glucanases and glucosidases, respectively. The enzymes KwExg1 (exoglucanase) and KwSun4 (glucosidase) retrieved from K. wickerhamii’s exoproteome were identified as the potential toxins, but their killer activity could not be confirmed. These findings suggest that hydrolytic enzymes possess killer activity, as previously reported in literature. However, further investigation is needed to identify the killer toxins characterized in this study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die huidige studie is twee isolate wat in ’n vorige studie “killer” aktiwiteit teenoor verskeie wyngisspesies vertoon het, tot op rasvlak geïdentifiseer en daar is gevind dat hulle aan die gisspesie Candida pyralidae behoort. Die geïdentifiseerde gisrasse en ’n Kluyveromyces wickerhamii gisras wat as kontrole gebruik is, het “killer” aktiwiteit getoon teenoor B. bruxellensis, wat bekend is vir sy bederfkarakter in rooi wyn, en ook teenoor verskeie rasse van die genus Brettanomyces in wit en rooi druiwesapmedium. Die “killer” giste het nie die groei van óf S. cerevisiae óf van die melksuurbakteria Oenococcus oeni en Lactobacillus plantarum-rasse geïnhibeer nie. Giste word berig om “killer” gifstowwe uit te skei, wat ’n rol kan speel in gis mikrobiese interaksies onder wynbereidingstoestande. Die C. pyralidae-rasse is gevind om twee nuwe “killer” gifstowwe af te skei, wat CpKT1 en CpKT2 genoem is. Hierdie “killer” gifstowwe was stabiel en aktief onder wynbereidingstoestande, pH 3.5 - 4.5 en temperatuur tussen 15 en 25°C. Die etanol- en suikerkonsentrasies wat onder wynbereiding voorkom, het nie die aktiwiteit en stabiliteit van hierdie “killer” gifstowwe beïnvloed nie. Hoewel die “killer” gifstowwe met betrekking tot hulle biochemiese en omgewingstabiliteit en aktiwiteit verskil het, is daar gevind dat hulle ’n eenderse modus van aksie het. Die “killer” gifstowwe het ’n fungistatiese effek op B. bruxellensis sensitiewe selle geïnduseer, buiten dat dit aan die selwand van die sensitiewe selle gebind het, en het seloppervlak- en plasma-membraanskade geïnduseer, net soos die Kwkt “killer” gifstof wat deur K. wickerhamii afgeskei is. So ver die skrywer weet, is hierdie die eerste verslag van die identifisering van nuwe “killer” gifstowwe wat deur C. pyralidae rasse afgeskei word wat uit ’n wynomgewing geïsoleer is, asook van die identifikasie van die modus van aksie van “killer” gifstof op B. bruxellensis selle. Dit verbreed dus beslis die navorsingsomvang van hierdie gebied. Die eksoproteome, bestaande uit die “killer” gifstowwe Kwkt, CpKT1 en CpKT2, het die teenwoordigheid van ekso-glukanases en glukosidases onderskeidelik onthul. Die ensieme KwExg1 (eksoglukanase) en KwSun4 (glukosidase) wat vanuit K. wickerhamii se eksoproteoom herwin is, is as die potensiële gifstowwe geïdentifiseer, maar hulle “killer” aktiwiteit kon nie bevestig word nie. Hierdie bevindings suggereer dat hidrolitiese ensieme “killer” aktiwiteit besit, soos voorheen in die literatuur berig is. Verdere ondersoeke word egter benodig om die “killer” gifstowwe wat in hierdie studie gekarakteriseer is, te identifiseer.