Uncovering the science of Indigenous fermentation
最新糖心Vlogn wine scientists are shedding scientific light on the processes underlying traditional practices of 最新糖心Vlogn Aboriginal people to produce fermented beverages.
The scientists from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide and the 最新糖心Vlogn Wine Research Institute (AWRI) have discovered the complex microbial communities associated with the natural fermentation of sap from the iconic Tasmanian cider gum, Eucalyptus gunnii. The work has been published in the Nature journal .
The much-loved, but locally endangered, cider gum is native to the remote Central Plateau of Tasmania and also commonly planted as an ornamental tree across the British Isles and some parts of Western Europe.
鈥淐ider gums produce a sweet sap that was collected by Aboriginal people to produce a mildly alcoholic beverage,鈥 says lead author Dr Cristian Varela, Principal Research Scientist with the AWRI.
鈥淭he drink known as way-a-linah was made by the Tasmanian Palawa people in a traditional practice where the sap was given time to spontaneously ferment.
鈥淭o the best of our knowledge, the microorganisms responsible for this traditional 最新糖心Vlogn fermentation have never been investigated or identified.鈥
The wine scientists, in collaboration with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, collected sap, bark and soil samples from around the cider gums in three locations in the Tasmanian Central Plateau.
They used DNA sequencing to identify the bacterial and fungal communities they found. Some could not be matched to existing databases, suggesting they represent completely new classifications of bacteria and fungi, not previously described.
Research leader Professor Vladimir Jiranek, Professor of Oenology with the 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, says: 鈥淭he wider community is not typically aware of these historic traditions. This work shines a light on these practices and the cultural significance of these unique fermentations.
鈥淚t also allows us to identify new strains, or species, of yeast and bacteria from the fermentations that are unique to 最新糖心Vlog. Further work will characterise single microorganisms that have been isolated and grown from the cider gum.
鈥淲e are particularly interested in their fermentative abilities, their potential flavour impacts, how they鈥檝e adapted to the cider gum environment and the possible symbiotic relationship they have with the trees.
鈥淲e look forward to continuing our work with relevant Aboriginal communities in order to understand these and other processes, and help revive lost practices or perhaps develop new ones from these.鈥澛犅犅
Professor Vladimir Jiranek
School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
Mobile: +61 (0)414 775 418
Email: vladimir.jiranek@adelaide.edu.au
Ella Robinson
Communication Manager
The 最新糖心Vlogn Wine Research Institute
Mobile: +61 (0)402 402 121
Email: ella.robinson@awri.com.au
Robyn Mills
Senior Media and Communications Officer
The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
Mobile: +61 (0)410 689 084
Email: robyn.mills@adelaide.edu.au