ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is the aromatic characterization of new table grape varieties, namely Guzun (V. vinifera), Melona (V. vinifera), Cotton Candy (V. vinifera), IVC SA3 (V. labrusca), and IVC SB1 (V. labrusca). The qualitative and quantitative analysis of odorant molecules present in the berries allows for the definition of the aroma profile of the grape. This analysis benefits from the progress of analytical techniques and sensory methodologies. Gas chromatography/mass detection enable the efficient detection of the substances present and their concentrations. Through the coupling of gas chromatography with sensory detection (gas chromatography-olfactometry), it is possible to correlate the compounds detected by gas chromatography with olfactory stimuli, exploiting the human olfactory system. Aroma, a significant flavor component, is an important attribute of table grape that contributes to defining their quality. This characteristic is highly valued by consumers, and consequently, the market asks for table grapes with a particular or new aroma. Aromatic characterization is a crucial step in the study of the table grape varieties to evaluate their potential at the commercial level or, for instance, in breeding programs focusing on organoleptic properties.
ABSTRACT
The new trends in the consumption of table grapes and the growing interest in the environmental impact of this crop have pushed breeders toward the development of seedless cultivars endowed with resistance, through crossbreeding programs. To obtain seedless grapes, the use of embryo-rescue techniques is fundamental. In this research, a grape embryo-culture protocol was optimized and validated by using 39 cultivars and 41 cross-combinations carried out in the framework of a large private table grape program of the private network Italian Variety Club in the period 2017-2021 evaluating several factors, such as the improvement in embryo formation, germination and growth, and plantlet development. The embryo culture attitude of crosses between different combinations of seedless parents was assessed, and the rates of embryo development from the extracted ovules mostly ranged from 3.5 to 35.5% with 5 out of 43 genotypes outliers. Experiments conducted at different sampling times, in a range of 43-62 days after pollination (DAP), did not show significant differences between the samples analyzed, while the rate of embryos developed with the applied protocol proved its employability on multiple genotypes, although the grapevine genotype significantly influenced the technique efficiency.