**1. General Introduction**

As defined at the European level by the European Council Regulations on organic production, organic grapes come from vineyards grown under organic farming methods. Indeed, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) defines organic viticulture and winemaking as a "holistic production managemen<sup>t</sup> system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of managemen<sup>t</sup> practices in preference to the use of o ff-farm inputs, considering that regional conditions require locally adapted systems" [1,2]. As of August 2012, organic wines can be labeled "organic" with the EU organic logo. This means the wine can now be properly recognized as an organic product [3]. However, and because the laws regulating organic wine production vary worldwide, the definition "organic wine" does not have the same meaning in all places. Usually, the most important purpose is to avoid synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides and genetically modified organisms. In many countries such as the USA, Canada, and Australia, this category of wines has been regulated from

2000, while in Europe, organic wines have been regulated by law since 2012 (EC Regulation No. 203/2012 [4]). Nowadays, many countries, despite having some different regulations, allow organic wine agronomists and winemakers to use the term "organic wine" along with the organic logo on their label after certification (Table 1). In Europe, the organic wines are certified by private structures authorized by a public authority. This regulation allows consumers to distinguish organic wines from conventional wines [5,6].

**Table 1.** Difference about regulation in terms of maximum use of SO2 (mg/L) allowed during vinification, the percentage of the organic vineyard in the country (data from 2015 to 2016), and the organic wine label used on their local market [7].

100 mg/<sup>L</sup> in aged wines; b no specific label for organic wines.

a

As Europe vineyards constituted over 80% of the world's total organic grape growing area in 2014 [6], the European Union (EU) regulations on "organic wine" were an important measure for the global organic wine market. Thus, since the organic certification and standards defined in the EU regulation, it is possible to define exclusive standards with additional detailed production rules. Private standards are appreciated by many winemakers and many consumers as indications of quality wine that authentically express terroir, and that aim to strengthen the subsequent aspects of viticulture and enology: (i) biodiversity in grape production; (ii) attention to soil fertility and soil life; (iii) alternative approaches to pests and diseases; (iv) sustainability of grape production and wine processing and storage; (v) quality and source of wine ingredients, including further limitations on enrichment and requirements for ingredients to be fully organic; (vi) quality of yeasts, including wild

yeasts and spontaneous fermentation; (vii) further limitations on additives and further reduction or total ban of sulfites; (viii) further limitations on processing techniques; and (ix) requirements or limitations on tools and equipment [3]. Undeniably, the yeasts present on grape berries from organic vineyards have an inimitable composition and may deliver distinct regional characteristics to this kind of wine [8].

Moreover, according to European regulations, organic wine must be made of organic ingredients. Thus, additional rules for oenological practices, processes, treatments, and substances such as additives and processing aids must be considered. Many practices and substances used in conventional production are unsuitable for organic wine production (Table 2), and there are specific restrictions and limitations, requiring that organic products and substances be used if they are available.


**Table 2.** List of substances forbidden in organic wines production [3].

However, despite all these wine private standards, wine safety, for winemakers and consumers, relies upon a complex equilibrium from good winemaking practices, quality of grapes, fermentation, and post-fermentation events. An occurrence in wine safety results in the recuperation of a broad variety of harmful compounds for human health such as amines, carbamate, methanol, mycotoxins, and other dangerous compounds [9].

The perceived increase in sensory complexity and superiority of successful uninoculated wine fermentations, as well as a thrust from consumers looking for a more "natural" or "organic" wine, produced with fewer additives and perceived health attributes, has led to more investigations into the uses of non-*Saccharomyces* yeasts in wine [10–14]. Research in this field aims to understand how to use only the positive contributions of non-*Saccharomyces* yeasts while avoiding negative contributions.

This review aims to provide an overview of organic wine safety, when using indigenous and/or inoculated non-*Saccharomyces* yeasts to perform fermentation, with a special focus on some metabolites of microbial origin, namely, ochratoxin A (OTA) and other mycotoxins, biogenic amines (BAs), and ethyl carbamate (EC). These health hazards present an increased awareness of the e ffects on health and well-being by wine consumers.

#### **2. Wine Contamination by Ochratoxin A (OTA) and Other Mycotoxins**

Human health issues and scientific attention are focused mainly on carcinogenic/toxic mycotoxins [15,16]. More than 300 mycotoxins have been identified, and they are produced by filamentous fungi, mainly *Aspergillus* spp, *Fusarium* spp., and *Penicillium* spp. [17].

OTA is produced from fungi, namely *Aspergillus* spp. and *Penicillium* spp., and derives from 3,4-dihydrocumarin linked to an amide bond with an amino group of L-β-phenylalanine [18,19], and it can appear in grapes (pre-harvest) and/or during pre-fermentation [20,21]. Its presence in wines is mainly found in red wine, followed by rosé and white wines [22,23].

Ochratoxin A is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) [24] in group 2B (possible human carcinogen), so it is a grea<sup>t</sup> threat for humans. It accumulates in several tissues in the body, with the kidneys being its main target, causing Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), chronic interstitial nephritis, and karyomegalic interstitial nephritis [9]. The presence of OTA in blood from healthy humans confirms continuous and widespread exposure, thus the Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain from the European Food Safety Authority [25] set OTA tolerable weekly intake (TWI) to 120 ng/kg body weight [9]. OTA levels in wines depend on various factors such as weather and vineyard location, the period of harvest, pesticide treatments, wine fermentation, and duration of grape maceration [9]. The European Union allows a maximum limit for OTA in the wine of 2 ng/g [23].

The wines/musts decontamination of OTA has been revised by Quintela et al. [26] and, for conventional wines, physical, chemical, or biological methods can be applied. For organic wines, owing to the restrictions imposed by IFAOM, most of the chemical treatments cannot be used once the chemical products recommended for conventional wines (chitin and chitosan, urease, polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) [23]) are forbidden for this kind of wine.

A possible way for wine decontamination could be the bioremediation [21,26] through toxin degradation and adsorption. Several enzymes may be involved in the microbiological degradation of OTA, but not much information is available and only a few have been characterized, including the pancreatic enzyme carboxypeptidase A (CPA) (EC 3.4.17.1) from bovine, the first protease reported to be able to hydrolyze OTA [27]. Toxin degradation can be performed by the bacteria *Pediococcus parvulus* [28], the bacteria *Acinetobacter calcoaceticus* [29], and the soil bacteria *Cupriavidus basilensis* [19]. These microorganisms hydrolyze the OTA amide bond and produce ochratoxin α (OT α), a non-toxic compound (Figure 1). This pathway is promising; however, the production of OTα could also be a threat, because the implication of the accumulation of this compound in the body is ye<sup>t</sup> unclear.

**Figure 1.** Proposed cleavage of ochratoxin A by *Cupriavidus basilensis* OR16. The amide bond hydrolysis ˝ forming ochratoxin α as the major degradation product [19]. A— Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph, magnification of 40,000 of a *Cupriavidus basilensis* biofilm [30].

A second way for wine decontamination is OTA adsorption on the yeas<sup>t</sup> cell wall during fermentation. For oenological strains, the parietal adsorption activity is a new selection feature that is attractive because it can enhance wine safety and quality [31]. Several authors proposed the yeasts as adsorbing tools under both in vitro and in vivo conditions [21,32,33]. Several studies have also

reported the interaction of yeas<sup>t</sup> cells with a diversity of wine compounds, from coloring pigments such as anthocyanins [34] to sulfur compounds [35] or detrimental components such as octanoic and decanoic acids [36], pesticides [37], geosmin [38], and 4-ethylphenol [39].

The yeas<sup>t</sup> parietal adsorption activity is different from yeas<sup>t</sup> to yeast, depending on the structural characteristics and chemical composition of the outermost layer of the cell wall. This layer is made up of mannoproteins, which represent 25–50% of the entire cell wall [40]. Parietal mannoproteins relate to an inner matrix of amorphous β-1,3 glucan and are partly released in wine (Figure 2).

**Figure 2.** Constitution of yeas<sup>t</sup> and yeas<sup>t</sup> cell wall. Yeast β-glucans form long chains of a β-(1→3) linked glucan backbone with β-(1→6) linked glucose side branches Adapted from Anwar et al. [40].

Total charge, charge distribution, and accessible surface area of mannoproteins are the most important features determining adsorption, and these features differ among strains [41]. Mannoproteins from *Schizosaccharomyces pombe* generally contain β-1,3-linked pyruvylated galactose residues [42], whereas mannoproteins from *Pichia pastoris* mainly contain mannose phosphate diesters [43]. The percentage of acidic oligosaccharides, containing mannosyl phosphate, varies from strain to strain in *Saccharomyces*, *Kloeckera brevis*, and *Candida albicans*, whereas the oligosaccharides of *S. pombe* and *Kluyveromyces lactis* do not contain mannosyl phosphate [44]. The presence of acidic oligosaccharides and negative charges modifies the electrostatic and ionic interactions between the yeast's cell wall and wine components. Moreover, wine yeasts may exhibit a different ratio of neutral/acidic oligosaccharides in mannoproteins. This oenological effect can help us to choose a specific selection of wine yeasts, even though the extent of mannosyl phosphorylation also depends on culture conditions such as the media and cultivation period [44].

Parietal mannoproteins, which perform various oenological functions [31], regarding their adsorption activity, adsorb ochratoxin A from grape must and wine. Numerous investigators studied the removal of OTA by yeasts during fermentation [21,33,45,46]. Truly, ochratoxin A removal depends on yeas<sup>t</sup> macromolecules, such as mannoproteins, and corresponds to a spontaneous adsorption mechanism [47,48] where mannoproteins act like a sponge, removing ochratoxin A [49]. Moreover, this phenomenon can be strongly affected by some factors that also affect the fermentation process, like pH, temperature, sugar, and nitrogen supplementation [50]. Furthermore, this phenomenon is somewhat reversible, as the toxin can be released back into the wine [50]. Yeast immobilization into alginate beads is an interesting technique, aiming to promote a better absorptivity. According to Farbo et al. [51], immobilized yeasts were able to remove 80% of OTA in 48 h and toxin release by beads could be better controlled than in free cells, and, additionally, the entrapped cells could be re-usable.

Yeast mycotoxin adsorption, considered to be performed by the surface of cell walls, varies with the yeas<sup>t</sup> species as they are diverse in cell wall composition, varying in adsorption capacity [52]. Many yeas<sup>t</sup> species can absorb mycotoxins, including *S. cerevisiae*, *Candida tropicalis*, *Pichia pastoris*, and *Pha*ffi*a rhodozyma* [45,53,54].

Yeast cells having integrated cell walls are generally more effective in their mycotoxin adsorption capacity than other yeas<sup>t</sup> cells, indicating that toxin adsorption requires the structural integrity of the yeas<sup>t</sup> cell wall [55]. The interaction mechanism studies of mycotoxins and yeas<sup>t</sup> cells focused

on the toxin adsorption capability associated with cell wall physical structure and the morphology, chemical components, and complicated interactions between structure and these components have been studied. Armando et al. [56] suggested that the cells with the greatest cell wall content seem to present the highest mycotoxin removal percentage, in contrast with those with less content. Luo et al. [57] investigated patulin adsorption capabilities of four yeas<sup>t</sup> strains, among them were two non-*Saccharomyces*, *Candida tropicalis* N-10 and *Pichia anomala* B-2p, with di fferent cell wall thicknesses and cell morphologies. The mycotoxin patulin adsorption capability decreased or disappeared when the cell wall three-dimensional network was damaged or removed.

#### **3. Organic Wines Contamination with Biogenic Amines**

Biogenic amines (BAs) are low-molecular-weight organic molecules originating in fermented foods from the microbial catabolism of the corresponding amino acids. Wine BA includes putrescine (from arginine and ornithine), cadaverine (from lysine), tyramine (from tyrosine), histamine (from histidine), and tryptamine (from tryptophane) [9]; Figure 3. The production of BAs is a strategy to obtain metabolic advantages to face certain stress conditions [58].

BAs are present as salts, but, at the mouth pH, they are partly in free form, becoming reactive with other compounds responsible for the aroma of the wine, thus they can be responsible for sensory changes like loss of varietal character and the appearance of musty smell and flavor [59,60].

**Figure 3.** Biogenic amines (BAs) in wine that, besides being a healthy treat, negatively a ffect the aromatic quality of wines owing to their unpleasant smells ( **A**). The decarboxylase enzyme transforms amino acid into a biogenic amine by removing its carboxyl group. The example presented is the formation of histamine (**B**).

The intake of high amounts of dietary BA can lead to several disorders, from minor symptoms resembling allergic reactions to death in severe cases of histaminosis or tyraminosis [20]. Moreover, the synergistic e ffect of inhibitors of the amino oxidases, such as some drugs, putrescine, and alcohol, lead them to act as histamine enhancers [9]. Humans' high sensitivity toward biogenic amines ingested with the diet depends on insu fficient amino oxidase activity caused by drugs, genetic predisposition (histamine intolerance), gastrointestinal disease, inhibition by alcohol, acetaldehyde, and other amines like putrescine and cadaverine [61,62].

Arginine and histidine are the most abundant amino acids in grapes. Consequently, histamine production in wines is a huge concern, as its toxicity is amplified by the alcohol and high levels of putrescine [63]. Besides, high levels of putrescine and cadaverine negatively a ffect the aromatic quality of wines owing to their unpleasant smells [63].

Some factors of agronomic practice as well as of the winemaking process can cause discrete levels of biogenic amines in the wine; that is, the fertilization of the soil (nitrogen level), the poor state of health of the grapes and presence of molds, non-regular lowering of the pH of the must and development of some non-*Saccharomyces* yeasts, and the activity of lactic acid bacteria responsible for malolactic fermentation (MLF) [64]. As MLF especially occurs in red wines, higher BA amounts are usually found in red wine than in rosé, white, or sparkling wines [65]. *O. oeni* is the main lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species carrying out the MLF, and its capability to produce histamine has been reported [62].

Yildirim et al. [66] compared organic and conventional Turkish wines from several grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Colombard, Merlot, and Semillon) for their BA content. The highest average values were found in putrescine (5.55 mg/L), ethylamine (0.825 mg/L), and histamine (0.628 mg/L) in organic wines, and putrescine (3.68 mg/L), histamine (1.14 mg/L), and agmatine (0.662 mg/L) in non-organic wines. No β-phenylethylamine was detected. Putrescine was more predominant in organic wines than in non-organic wines (*p* = 0.008). Changes of BAs were previously studied by Garcia-Marino et al. [67] during the winemaking process of red wine, including an organic wine. Even though organic foods were popular in consumers, organic wines produced higher levels of BAs than conventional wines. This may be related to the fact that, in organic wines, MLF normally occurs spontaneously; moreover, in this kind of wine, low levels of SO2 are added owing to the legal restrictions [62].

The effect of organic or conventional agriculture on the BA content of wines was also evaluated by Tassoni et al. [68]. The authors analyzed the BA content in Lambrusco (red) and Albana (white) wines, and they compared conventional, organic, and biodynamic agricultural and oenological practices. In all the samples, putrescine was the most abundant polyamine, but its content was lower in biodynamic wines than in conventional wines. Samples from Albana organic wines and Lambrusco biodynamic wines contained the highest BA amounts, with histamine and tryptamine being the most abundant amines in both wines. Moreover, in Lambrusco, spermidine was present in organic and biodynamic samples, but it was absent in conventional samples; in Albana, this amine was present in the same amount in all of the samples.

Although biogenic amines formation during the alcoholic fermentation (AF) is considered irrelevant, during AF, yeasts consume amino acids as a nitrogen source, which plays a key role in creating aroma compounds. Caruso et al. [69] studied the BA production capability of fifty yeas<sup>t</sup> strains isolated from grapes and wines. Among them, five species, *Brettanomyces bruxellensis*, *Candida krusei*, *Metschnikowia pulcherrima*, *Kloeckera apiculate*, and *S. cerevisiae*, were BAs producers. They also found that *B. bruxellensis* produced the highest levels of total BA (15 mg/L), followed by *S. cerevisiae* (12.14 mg/L). Moreover, these yeas<sup>t</sup> species were able to significantly produce putrescine, phenylethylamine, and ethanolamine. These results sugges<sup>t</sup> that correct yeas<sup>t</sup> managemen<sup>t</sup> during winemaking is important [61].

Benito and co-workers [70] in a study aiming to evaluate the influence of *Lachancea thermotolerans* on low-acidity Airén grape must from the south of Spain, proving that *L. thermotolerans* does not produce higher levels of biogenic amines than *S. cerevisiae*. Moreover, the lower concentration of histidine (precursor of histamine) found during *L. thermotolerans* and *S. cerevisiae* fermentation can contribute to reducing the potential risk of histamine formation by bacterial metabolism. Other authors have also reported reductions of histamine of up to 2.2 mg/<sup>L</sup> during alcoholic fermentation with the non-*Saccharomyces* species *Hanseniaspora vineae* [71].

#### **4. Wines and Ethyl Carbamate Contamination**

Wine, including organic wines, possess distinct nutrients, in which a variety of microorganisms, namely yeasts and bacteria, exist. The fermentation processes may unavoidably produce toxic products because of metabolism and side reactions, including biogenic amines (BAs) and ethyl carbamate (EC). Curiously, these compounds are generated owing to the incomplete metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds during the fermentation process [72]. EC is mainly produced by lactic acid bacteria and

through the chemical combination of urea with ethanol during wine aging. EC has been upgraded by the IARC to a "probable human carcinogen", Group 2A [73,74].

The carcinogenicity of EC has been verified in several animal species from rats, hamsters, and monkeys [73,75]. In rodents, EC has been found to cause a dose-dependent increase in carcinomas of the liver, lungs, heart, mammary gland, ovaries, skin, and forestomach, among which hepatocellular tumors appear to linearly increase with EC concentration [74,76].

During fermentation, five metabolic pathways were identified for the formation of EC. The major precursors of the formation of EC contain a carbamyl group, and these include urea, citrulline, and carbamoyl phosphate. Furthermore, it has been shown that cyanic acid and diethylpyrocarbonate are involved in EC formation [74].

The reaction between urea and ethanol is the most common metabolic pathway of EC formation found in wine. The abundance of urea in grapes makes it the most common precursor. Moreover, during ethanol fermentation, the accumulation of urea originated from the catabolism of arginine contributes to the reaction between urea and ethanol. Additionally, urea mainly results from the metabolism of arginine by *S. cerevisiae* [74,77].

EC can also be formed by the reaction between citrulline and ethanol. Grape juice already contains a certain amount of citrulline, but much of this compound has its origin in the catabolism of arginine. Moreover, the generation of citrulline is assigned to the metabolism of arginine by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) via malolactic fermentation [78].

EC, in some alcoholic beverages, may also appear as a result of the reaction between cyanic acid and ethanol, and/or the reaction between carbamyl phosphate and ethanol. However, these are rare phenomena in wine [74].

The reaction between diethylpyrocarbonate and ammonia nowadays occurs less frequently, mainly in organic wines. The appearance of diethylpyrocarbonate stems from artificial additives. This compound was known to reduce contamination and spoilage by microorganisms (yeasts or bacteria). However, the use of diethylpyrocarbonate was abandoned owing to its toxicity and the undesirable side e ffect of EC formation [79].

To better understand the metabolic formation of EC in *S. cerevisiae*, transport and metabolic regulation of urea in *S. cerevisiae* must be studied. Intracellular urea mainly results from the degradation of arginine through catalysis by arginase (Figure 4). As a toxic and poor nitrogen source for *S. cerevisiae*, the generated urea is usually accumulated and exported to the nearby medium via a facilitated transport di ffusion system (Figure 4, [74]). *S. cerevisiae* metabolizes urea in two steps. First, urea is carboxylated to form allophanate by urea carboxylase. Then, allophanate is degraded to CO2 and NH4 + by allophanate hydrolase. The activities of urea carboxylase and allophanate hydrolase are performed by a bifunctional enzyme, urea amidolyase, encoded by the DUR1,2 genes, and silenced by nitrogen catabolic repression (NCR) [80]. The DUR3 gene encodes urea permease. Under fermentation conditions, degradation is obstructed by arginine, which is abundant in fermented sources and acts as a superior nitrogen supply compared with urea [74].

Several methods have been proposed for decreasing EC in wines: (i) the modification of raw materials (established recommendations on vineyard fertilization, cultivars, and nutrient status/additions, including avoiding excessive fertilization with urea, ammonia, and other N-fertilizers) and the optimization of fermentation processing parameters (such as temperature, light irradiation, pH, oxygen, and storage time); (ii) the addition of acid urease (commercial grade acid ureases are currently acquired mainly from *L. fermentum*) [81]; and (iii) the modification of the fermentation bacterium. All these approaches aim to reduce EC precursors [74]. However, the most common type of managemen<sup>t</sup> in the wine industry is based on the use of a commercial urease enzyme, able to remove all of the urea that can evolve into ethyl carbamate [82]. Researchers have also focused on the immobilization of acid urease, possessing the advantages of facilitating enzyme recycling, reducing cost, and improving stability and resistance to inhibitory compounds [83].

**Figure 4.** Schematic metabolism of urea and arginine by *S. cerevisiae*. Intracellular urea mainly results from the degradation of arginine through catalysis by arginase (CAR1). As a toxic and poor nitrogen source for *S. cerevisiae*, the generated urea is usually accumulated and exported to the surrounding medium via a facilitated diffusion system. NCR—nitrogen catabolic repression; ATP—adenosine triphosphate; CAN1—arginine transporter; GAP1—general amino acid permease [74].

However, owing to organic wine fermentation restrictions, urease cannot be used to treat this kind of wine [3]. Thus, the use of non-*Saccharomyces* species with urease activity allows the removal of the main ethyl carbamate precursor from wine, making it virtually impossible for ethyl carbamate to appear during wine aging [84].

Past studies of *Schizosaccharomyces* focused on malic acid degradation [85]. Later, the genus *Schizosaccharomyces* also showed the ability to reduce levels of hazardous compounds for human health, such as ochratoxin A, biogenic amines, and ethyl carbamate [86,87]. Thus, this seems to be a promising strain for EC control in organic wines.

#### **5. Other Benefits of the Use of Non-***Saccharomyces* **in Organic Winemaking**

The yeas<sup>t</sup> population of vineyard and grape berries surface is significant as these yeasts may contribute to the fermentative process of organic wines. It is well known that the microflora composition of grape berries surface is influenced by factors such as climate, UV radiation, nutritive limitations, and agrochemical treatments [88]. One of the objectives of organic viticulture is the use of copper- and sulfur-based molecules to protect vines as an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. However, these "more friendly" compounds may influence the occurrence and abundance of yeasts on the surface of grape berries. Several studies have been made, and contradictory findings have been reported. Cordero-Bueso et al. [89] found that conventional phytosanitary treatments reduced both the number and diversity of yeasts, whereas Grangeteau et al. [90] reported a lower yeas<sup>t</sup> concentration and biodiversity, on grape berry surface, in organic grape samples in comparison with conventional ones.

It is well known that indigenous yeasts can play a role in the development of distinctive terroir-related characteristics, thus creating specific traits specifically in organic wine. Moreover, after numerous studies, during the last recent years, it is believed that non-*Saccharomyces* are important tools for the wine fermentation process. As these yeasts are usually unable to complete alcoholic fermentation, they are mostly used in co- or sequential inoculation with *S. cerevisiae* [14,91] in conventional or organic wines production.

Non-*Saccharomyces* are important to improve wine complexity and pleasantness [14,92], either alone or in co/sequential inoculation with *S. cerevisiae* strains. For example, *Hanseniaspora vineae* enhanced benzenoid compounds and phenyl ethyl acetate with an agreeable rose-like aroma [93]; *Torulaspora delbrueckii* increased the concentration of 3-Sulfanylhexan-1-ol (tropical fruit nuances) in the mixed fermentation with an *S. cerevisiae* strain [94]. Mixed fermentations with *Starmerella bacillaris, Zygotorulaspora florentina,* and *Hanseniaspora uvarum* enhanced the flavor [95], floral notes and lower perception of astringency [96], and wine organoleptic quality reducing the volatile acidity [97], respectively.

Non-*Saccharomyces* can also be used for controlling wild undesired microflora once many species can produce active extracellular molecules that neutralize the development of wild spoilage microorganisms. One example is the investigations focused on the biological control of the wine spoilage *Brettanomyces*/*Dekkera* yeasts [98]. In the former work, Oro and collaborators [98] demonstrated the practical application of zymocins produced by *Kluyveromyces wickerhamii* and *Wickerhanomyces anomalus* in wines contaminated by *Brett*, thus avoiding the use of huge amounts of sulfur dioxide. Similar studies were performed by Mehlomakulu et al. [99], finding two novel killer toxins, CpKT1 and CpKT2, produced by *Candida pyralidae*, active and stable under winemaking conditions; furthermore, new zymocins from *T. delbrueckii* able to control spoilage by *B. bruxellensis* were identified and characterized [100].

One interesting phenomenon, also recently studied, is cell-to-cell contact and quorum sensing. Quorum sensing is a mechanism in which the production of a small molecule known as an autoinducer accumulates in the extracellular environment and, on reaching a critical concentration, activates the transcription of target genes [101]. Quorum sensing was recently analyzed in *S. cerevisiae*, *H Hanseniaspora uvarum*, *Torulaspora pretoriensis*, *Zygosaccharomyces bailii*, *Candida zemplinina*, and *Dekkera bruxellensis*, and 2-phenylethanol, tryptophol, and tyrosol, produced by these non-*Saccharomyces* yeasts, were found to be the main molecules involved in the quorum-sensing mechanism [102].

The use of non-*Saccharomyces* can be a biological way to reduce the ethanol content in wines. Different mechanisms of some of these yeasts, balanced between respiration and fermentation, compared with *S. cerevisiae*, could be explored to reduce ethanol production through partial and controlled aeration of the grape juice. In this way, sugar is consumed via respiration rather than fermentation [103,104].

Non-*Saccharomyces* yeasts can also be a valuable tool for production low-sulfur wines. Owing to the restrictions imposed by the EU on additives used in organic wines, the main concern in the organic winemaking process is the risks of oxidation combined with microbial contamination and H2S production. Although new starters 'low H2S-SO2-acetaldehyde producers', obtained by selective breeding, are already available in the market, indigenous tailor-made yeasts are needed to imprint the wines with the specific terroir, and simultaneously, to avoid the production of compounds undesirable in organic wines [88,105]. Moreover, non-*Saccharomyces* are also able to reduce copper, which can appear in organic wines owing to the use of copper fungicide in organic agricultural practices. These metals in concentrations higher than 64 mg/<sup>L</sup> cause sluggish or stuck fermentation and a reduction in alcohol production [88].

#### **6. Final Remarks**

The growing social interest in organic wines stimulated several studies aiming at improving organic grape production and organic wine quality during the entire chain production. A change

in consumer preference towards organic wines, perceived to be more natural, made using less or no chemical additions as compared with conventional wine, has encouraged bioprospecting for naturally occurring microorganisms, yeast, and bacteria, which can be applied in winemaking as an alternative to such additions.

Furthermore, the increasing request of organic wines determines changes in yeas<sup>t</sup> microbiota and fermentation requirements, demanding starter strains, particularly non-*Saccharomyces*, with peculiar features, such as low production of H2S, SO2, and acetaldehyde; the reduction of ethanol content; the ability to reduce copper content; the bio-control of undesirable spoilage yeasts; and more importantly, the possible control of mycotoxins (like OTA), biogenic amines (BAs), and ethyl carbamate (EC), harmful compounds for human health.

In conclusion, the use of selected cultures of non-*Saccharomyces* wine yeasts in organic wines production, further than the enhancement of wine complexity and typicity, offers other advantages, related to wine safety and consumer's health.

**Funding:** FCT and COMPETE, grants numbers UIDB/00616/2020 and UIDP/00616/2020.

**Acknowledgments:** The author appreciates the financial support provided to the Research Unit in Vila Real (CQ-VR).

**Conflicts of Interest:** The author declares no conflict of interest.
