Effect of enzymatic aroma release on the volatile compounds of white wines presenting different aroma potentials

Wines from Maria Gomes (Fernão Pires) and Bical varieties were treated with an enzymatic preparation, Lallzyme de Lalvin, with β‐glucosidase, pectinase, arabinosidase and rhamnosidase activity. The reference and enzyme‐treated wines were submitted to a process of continuous liquid–liquid extraction with dichloromethane and analysed by GC‐MS. The volatile contents of the wines were 199 and 188 mg l^?1, respectively, for Maria Gomes and Bical. Both varieties contained aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, terpenoids, esters, aliphatic acids and lactones. Enzymatically treated wines showed an increase of 9% in the total amount of volatile compounds of Maria Gomes, due, mainly, to the increase of geraniol (67%), terpendiols (96%), phenols and aromatic alcohols (26%) and esters (32%). Some of them were within their perception limits and may have a contribution to the floral and fruity notes. Conversely, no significant modifications were introduced by enzymatic treatment in the total amount of volatile compounds of Bical wine. The presence of aromatic alcohols in significant amounts, which may represent an interesting characteristic in Bical wines, was not increased by the treatment used. This study with two white varieties grown in the same Appellation shows that the effectiveness of aroma release by enzymatic treatment, using a broad range of enzymatic activities, is closely dependent on the varietal aroma potential, knowledge of which is a key determinant for full exploitation of wine qualities. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Behavioural Production: Autonomous Swarm-Constructed Architecture

Until now, parametric processes have largely been confined to the architectural and engineering phases of a building's design. What possibilities, however, do robotics and artificial intelligence programming open up for extending Parametricism's influence into the construction phase? Robert Stuart-Smith, a course master at the Architectural Association Design Research Laboratory (AADRL), explores how architecture might adopt autonomous swarm-construction techniques. He describes the research that he has carried out with colleagues and students employing flying multicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to design and additively manufacture 3D-printed buildings onsite.     

Dissatisfied São Paulo

São Paulo is a city of voracious appetites: insatiable in its desire for development and transformation, having swallowed up a population of some 20 million. Could it, however, be approaching a moment of reflection and repose? Architect and writer Francesco Perrotta-Bosch describes how a new development plan, the Plano Diretor, is enabling the city to take stock.     

Magical Transubstantiations: A Voyage to Italy

Visiting Italy in 1978 as part of his own Grand Tour, Lebbeus Woods was able to see some of the treasures of the Renaissance and the Baroque. The ensuing mix of reality and imagination prompted the Editors of this 2, Aleksandra Wagner and Neil Spiller , to consider the visual travelogue –Cityscapes – in a similar manner, combining speculation and truth.