Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided which contains a sequence which encodes a protein which mediates the uptake of L-malate, succinate, and malonate, and expression vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acid molecules. The nucleic acid molecules are used to transform cells for use in mediating malate, succinic acid or malonate uptake in particular malate uptake during the fermentation of wines.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided which contains a sequence which encodes a protein which mediates the uptake of L-malate, succinate, and malonate, and expression vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acid molecules. The nucleic acid molecules are used to transform cells for use in mediating malate, succinic acid or malonate uptake in particular malate uptake during the fermentation of wines.

Abstract: A probe for continuously measuring the precise concentration of liquid ethanol in a fermentation broth over the range of feasible fermentation temperatures. The probe includes a thermal sensor, a gas permeable membrane leading to a vapor channel, an ethanol vapor sensor in a vapor sensing chamber, and a microcomputer. The microcomputer is loaded with a first set of data defining the initial parameters of the fermentation broth and a set of data defining the ethanol diffusion rate through the gas permeable membrane as a function of the temperature of such fermentation broth. Inlet and outlet connection and tubular interconnections are provided for leading a flushing gas through the vapor channel, past the ethanol vapor sensor and out a vent outlet. Electrical lines leading from the thermal sensor to the microcomputer provide an input signal which is proportional to the temperature of the fermentation broth.