Continuous Cold Pasteurisation of Contaminated Wine Using Nano- and Micro-Tubular Cellulose

Abstract

This investigation describes the development of a continuous “cold pasteurisation” process for wine, using a nano/micro-porous cellulosic material (tubular cellulose, TC), produced after delignification of wood sawdust, as filter in a packed column. The packed-bed bioreactor was supplied with white or red wine contaminated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae AXAZ-1 or Acetobacter pasteurianus, respectively, at low temperature. The effect of the TC filter size on microbial load removal was assessed. Scanning electron micrographs showed attachment of cells in the internal surface of the TC tubes, proving the removal of cells from wine. The effect of the continuous cold pasteurisation process on wine quality was examined by analysis of volatile compounds, organic acids, polyphenols content and colour intensity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra indicated presence of wine compounds on the TC filter. The microbial load removal remained constant to 97–100 % for a long period, with few required filter regenerations, which were done by washing with hot water (70–80 °C). The simplicity of the proposed process, and the low cost and abundance of the TC material can provide an alternative to existing expensive technologies for microbial stabilisation of wine prior to bottling.