Development and Validation of a New Method for Detecting Acetic Bacteria in Wine

In winemaking, excessive production of acetic acid by acetic acid bacteria poses a major challenge, leading to rejection of wine by consumers. The aim of this study was to devise an economically viable and easy-to-use liquid culture medium for the preventive detection of microorganisms capable of generating acetic acid in wine. The modified medium incorporated specific nutrients that favored the growth of acetic acid bacteria and increased selectivity. Under varying conditions and with different types of wine, this medium was tested together with inoculated samples, comparing the occurrence of acetic acid and olfaction. The result was a new liquid medium based on olfactometry, designed to facilitate its use in wineries, even by untrained personnel and without the need for complex laboratory equipment. Validation was carried out on a variety of wines, determining the onset of the presence of acetic acid in the medium. This innovative culture medium provides a means to estimate the concentration of micro-organisms capable of producing acetic acid in wine. Its application in wineries facilitates proactive decision making, avoiding undesirable increases in acetic acid concentration.