Hydroxycinnamic acid decarboxylase activity of Brettanomyces bruxellensis involved in volatile phenol production: Relationship with cell viability

► Effects of SO2 on enzyme activity of Brettanomyces bruxellensis. ► Relationship between viability, cultivability, and enzyme activity. ► Low dose of SO2 leads to a small loss of activity but not cultivability. ► High dose of SO2 leads to a loss of cultivability but not a total loss of activity. ► Cells in a non-culturable state may exhibit enzyme activity.