Evaluation of potential stress marker genes during acclimation of the Patagonian Lactiplantibacillus plantarum UNQLp11 strain

In this study, we evaluated the expression of genes that may serve as markers of temperature- and ethanol-induced stress responses during the acclimation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains of enological interest. The transcriptional responses of eight genes potentially related to stress adaptation were analyzed in two strains acclimated at 18□°C and 21□°C. Gene expression was assessed at the start (time zero) and after 48 hours of acclimation. Following acclimation, the cells were inoculated into sterile Pinot noir wine, and L-malic acid consumption was monitored over 19 days to determine whether acclimation temperature influenced cell survival and fermentation performance. Both strains exhibited similar L-malic acid consumption and survival patterns, although transcriptional responses varied depending on the temperature. Notably, gapB, glmS , and rfbB emerged as promising gene markers for future studies. These findings suggest that gene expression profiling of acclimated cells may support the selection of robust Lpb. plantarum strains for use as starter cultures in winemaking.