Phenolic compounds extraction in enzymatic macerations of grape skins identified as low-level extractable total anthocyanin content.

Anthocyanins in wine principally depend on grape skin extractable anthocyanin content, that is, the amount of anthocyanins present in grape skin that are released to wine during the maceration stage. This amount of extractable anthocyanins is closely linked to the cell wall degradation of skin cells. Indeed, among other methodologies, the maceration in presence of different enzymes can be used to increase cell wall degradation, and therefore, the amount of anthocyanins extracted from grape skins to wine. Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo and Syrah red grapes have been identified as samples with low anthocyanin extraction potential by near infrared hyperspectral imaging. Grape skins have been macerated in the presence of cellulase, glucosidase, and pectinase. Then, color of the supernatants and phenolic compounds extracted from grape skins (total phenols, total flavanols, and total and individual anthocyanins) has been determined. Cellulase and glucosidase have shown a positive effect in the extraction of phenolic compounds from these grapes. Macerations carried out in the presence of cellulase have produced supernatants with a more intense color (lower lightness and higher chroma values), and a higher extraction of flavanols and anthocyanins than the respective control essays. However, pectinase treatments have produced the opposite effect, which could be partially explained by an eventual interaction between the cell wall polysaccharides liberated by pectinase and the phenolic compounds extracted. Synergy effects do not appear between cellulase and glucosidase. Moreover, the negative effect of the addition of pectinase might be due to the interactions between the cell wall material liberated by pectinase and the phenolic compounds extracted. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In the present study, grape samples with a low anthocyanin extraction potential have been identified, and these samples have been macerated in the presence of different enzymes. The applied enzymes were three of the most common enzymes that are applied in the wine industry. Individual enzymes and mixtures have been applied to Syrah and Tempranillo grape skin samples and the results have been compared to control macerations. Knowledge in this topic will help the production of quality wines.

Evaluation of the influence of white grape seed extracts as copigment sources on the anthocyanin extraction from grape skins previously classified by near infrared hyperspectral tools.

Hyperspectral imaging has been used to classify red grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) according to their predicted extractable total anthocyanin content (i.e. extractable total anthocyanin content determined by a hyperspectral method). Low, medium and high levels of predicted extractable total anthocyanin content were established. Then, grape skins were split into three parts and each part was macerated into a different model wine solution for a three-day period. Wine model solutions were made up with different concentration of copigments coming from white grape seeds. Aqueous supernatants were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and extractable anthocyanin contents were obtained. Principal component analyses and analyses of variance were carried out with the aim of studying trends related to the extractable anthocyanin contents. Significant differences were found among grapes with different levels of predicted extractable anthocyanin contents. Moreover, no significant differences were found on the extractable anthocyanin contents using different copigment concentrations in grape skin macerations.

A novel method for evaluating flavanols in grape seeds by near infrared hyperspectral imaging.

Chemical composition of seeds changes during grape ripening and this affects the sensory properties of wine. In order to control the features of wines, the condition of seeds is becoming an important factor for deciding the moment of harvesting by winemakers. Sensory analysis is not easy to carry out and chemical analysis needs lengthy procedures, reagents, and it is destructive and time-consuming. In the present work, near infrared hyperspectral imaging has been used to determine flavanols in seeds of red (cv. Tempranillo) and white (cv. Zalema) grapes (Vitis vinifera L.). As reference measurements, the flavanol content was estimated using the p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMACA) method. Not only total flavanol content was evaluated but also the quantity of flavanols that would be extracted into the wine during winemaking. A like-wine model solution was used for this purpose. Calibrations were performed by partial least squares regression and they provide coefficients of determination R(2)=0.73 for total flavanol content and R(2)=0.85 for predicting flavanols extracted with model solution. Values up to R(2)=0.88 were reached when cultivars were considered individually.

Feasibility study on the use of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging for the screening of anthocyanins in intact grapes during ripening.

The potential of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging to determine anthocyanins in intact grape has been evaluated. The hyperspectral images of intact grapes during ripening were recorded using a near-infrared hyperspectral imaging covering the spectral range between 900 and 1700 nm. Reference values of anthocyanins were obtained by HPLC-DAD. A number of spectral pretreatments and different mask development strategies were studied. Calibrations were performed by modified partial least-squares regression (MPLS) and present a good potential (RSQ of 0.86 and SEP values of 2.62 and 3.05 mg g(-1) of grape skin for nonacylated and total anthocyanins, respectively) for a fast and reasonably inexpensive screening of these compounds in intact grapes.