Maximizing Wine Antioxidants: Yeast’s Contribution to Melatonin Formation

Abstract

Melatonin is commonly found in various fruits, juices, and some fermented beverages. Its concentration in wine is influenced by soil properties, climatic factors, and yeast activity. Even if it is found in fermented beverages in relatively low proportions, melatonin still holds significant nutritional value, giving anti-aging properties, anti-inflammatory actions, and antidepressant effects. In this context, this article focuses on evaluating the impact of different Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeast species on the formation of melatonin and its contribution to wines’ total antioxidant capacity. Considering that the antioxidant activity of wine is usually related to the content of phenolic compounds, ten such compounds were analyzed. The evaluation of bioactive compounds was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry. The total antioxidant capacity of wine samples was evaluated by the ABTS+ method. The administration of bâtonnage products increased the efficiency of non-Saccharomyces yeasts. The mixtures of Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeasts generated higher values for melatonin. The results confirm a significant impact from the grape variety and the specific yeast strains on the melatonin concentration. Also, a strong dependence between antioxidant activity and melatonin levels was observed. Given the limited existing studies on the presence of melatonin in wines, new perspectives are needed for future exploration and understanding.