A new resource from traditional wines: characterisation of the microbiota of "Vino Santo" grapes as a biocontrol agent against Botrytis cinerea

The microflora of grapes involved in the production of a traditional Italian straw wine, "Vino Santo Trentino", was evaluated as a biocontrol agent against Botrytis cinerea, one of the main diseases affecting fruit and grapes. The microbiota was described using plate counts and genotypic characterisation (sequencing of 16S rRNA for bacteria and 26s rRNA for yeast), allowing identification of yeasts belonging to the Hanseniaspora, Metschnikowia, Cryptococcus and Issatchenkia genera and bacteria (Bacillus, Microbacterium, Acetobacter and Gluconobacter spp.). The distribution of these species is related to the extent of B. cinerea infection. 7 isolates were able to halt the growth of B. cinerea in antagonistic cultures grown in Petri plates, using both synthetic growth and grape juice media. Technological characterisation of potential biocontrol agents, performed with the help of flow cytometry and HPLC-ECD, demonstrated that these microorganisms did not represent a risk for wine production due to their low resistance to ethanol, low pH and the absence of off-flavours. This ensures that the biocontrol agents disappear during winemaking and excludes a negative impact on the quality of wines. In conclusion, the microflora associated with dried grapes is a precious source of biocontrol agents against B. cinerea, both in terms of preventing disease in the vineyard and in control of the grape drying process for the production of straw wines.