Nutrients
Yeast nutrients are primarily used control the nitrogen concentration during primary fermentation. A good nitrogen management strategy has been linked to the reduction of hydrogen sulfide production.
The use of nutrients in primary fermentation is common. However, it is also possible to use nutrients to support the secondary, or bacteria-based, fermentation. Primarily, nutrients:
- Provide yeast with inorganic (ammonia) and organic (amino acids) nitrogen during primary fermentation
- Enhances the ease of fermentation
- Minimizes risk of H2S (hydrogen sulfide) production
- Provide yeast with a range of micro-nutrients
- Are used to enhance difficult, sluggish, or stuck ferments
- Help keep bacteria in suspension during secondary/malolactic fermentation
- Absorb bacterial inhibitory compounds during secondary/malolactic fermentation
