Isolation and characterization of mutants resistant to amino acid analogues obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains

Mutants resistant to the amino acid analogues DL-thiaisoleucine, DL-4-azaleucine, 5,5,5-trifluoro-DL-leucine and L-O-methylthreonine, were isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeast strains. The fermentative production of secondary metabolites by the mutants was tested in grape must. Higher alcohols, acetaldehyde and acetic acid concentration varied depending on strain and analogue. Most of the mutants produced increased amounts of amyl alcohol. A remarkable variability in the level of n-propanol, isobutanol, acetaldehyde and acetic acid was observed. In practical application, the use of mutants resistant to amino acid analogues can improve the quality of wines by reducing or increasing the presence of some secondary compounds.