A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Effect of Torulaspora delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation on chemical composition of ciders made from traditional Finnish apple cultivars
Authors: Wang, Qizai; Laaksonen, Oskar; Jafari, Mahsa Sadat; Okwum, Ada Obianuju; Damerau, Annelie; Heinonen, Maarit; He, Wenjia; Yang, Baoru; Kelanne, Niina
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Food Bioscience
Article number: 108699
Volume: 79
ISSN: 2212-4292
eISSN: 2212-4306
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108699
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108699
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/523241816
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
This study investigated the impact of two yeast strains, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) and Torulaspora delbrueckii (TD), on the chemical composition of ciders prepared from the juices of six traditional apple cultivars grown in Finland, aiming to evaluate the potential of these underutilized local cultivars for cider production. Sugars, organic acids and ethanol contents were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector (GC–FID), while volatile compounds were identified and semi-quantified using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS–SPME–CG–MS). Apple cultivar selection had a stronger impact than yeast strain on the sugars and organic acids in ciders, whereas both factors shaped the volatile compound profiles. Among the cultivars, ‘Rambo’ demonstrated the greatest potential for cider aroma development. Specifically, fermentation of ‘Rambo’ juice with TD yielded the highest ester production among all TD-fermented ciders. Volatile profiling further revealed that TD favored the formation of fruity esters while reducing higher alcohol and acetic acid levels, resulting in potentially more complex and fruity aroma, compared to SC. Other cultivar–yeast combinations, such as ‘Aleksanteri’, ‘Antonovka’, or ‘Mustialan Iso Venäläinen’ with SC, could also enhance cider aroma complexity. These findings highlight the potential of underutilized apple cultivars, when combined with tailored yeast selection, to diversify cider profiles and to enhance sensory quality.
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Funding information in the publication:
The study was financially supported by the Niemi Foundation (award number: 20240015), the Lieto Savings Bank Foundation (award number: 20240396), Research Council of Finland's research infrastructure funding (Decision No. 337980), the European Union-NextGenerationEU instrument funding for the FOODNUTRI National Infrastructure Network (Decision No. 345916), the Finland-China Food and Health Network, the China Scholarship Council, and the First division Alar City Science and Technology Project (2024SP01).
