Polyphenolic Profiling, Browning, and Glutathione Content of Sparkling Wines Produced with Nontraditional Grape Varieties: Indicator of Quality During the Biological Aging.

Sparkling wines were elaborated with the nontraditional varieties Villenave, Niagara, Manzoni, and Goethe, and monitored in relation to the changes in phenolic composition, browning index, and glutathione content during 18 months of biological aging (sur lies). Important changes in the phenolic profile, browning index, and glutathione content were observed in the sparkling wines during the over-lees aging period. The major phenolic compound in the sparkling wines was tyrosol, followed by caffeic, trans-caftaric, and gallic acids, catechin and epicatechin. The biological aging led to an increase in the individual phenolic compounds, especially caffeic, gallic, and ellagic acids, and an increase in the browning index was also observed during the aging period. Caffeic acid was significantly correlated with browning and aging period in all sparkling wines, which indicates that this compound can be useful as a quality marker to monitoring the biological aging profile of white sparkling wines. The results obtained indicate that the aging period (sur lie) had an important influence on the changes in the unique phenolic profile of the sparkling wines elaborated with nontraditional varieties. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In sparkling wines production, the secondary fermentation occurring in the sealed bottle during the vinification contributes greatly to their quality and sensory complexity. The Vitis labrusca and hybrid grapes varieties represent most of the grapes cultivated in Brazil being employed in the elaboration of juices and wines. These varieties present a great oenological potential and have not been explored yet regarding to the production of white sparkling wines. The use of these nontraditional grape varieties cultivated in South Brazil may be a viable alternative in the production of white sparkling wines with biological aging potential and particular bioactive properties.

Changes in organic acids, polyphenolic and elemental composition of rosé sparkling wines treated with mannoproteins during over-lees aging.

The effect of mannoproteins on the evolution of rosé sparkling wines during over-lees aging was investigated on the basis of the chemical characterization of polyphenols, organic acids, macro- and microelements using a combined analytical approach. Variations on these constituents were assessed using Raman and near-infrared spectroscopy. During the biological aging, caffeic acid, catechin, gallic acid and malvidin-3-O-glucoside were the most abundant polyphenolics in the rosé wines. The phenolic compound tyrosol, a fermentation derivative, was found at concentrations up to 98.07 mg L-1. The addition of mannoproteins significantly affected the concentrations of organic acids and individual polyphenolic compounds, particularly trans-resveratrol, quercetin, catechin, p-coumaric and hydroxybenzoic acids that showed increased concentrations over time. The positive effects of mannoproteins were mainly observed at the end of the biological aging. The mineral composition remained stable, while potassium was the most abundant mineral in all wines. The observed changes involving these constituents may offer new insights on their behavior during wine aging and on the bioactive and nutritional quality of rosé sparkling wines.

Rosé Sparkling Wines: Influence of Winemaking Practices on the Phytochemical Polyphenol During Aging on Lees and Commercial Storage.

The effects of oenological agents, gum arabic, and oenological tannin, added at two different stages in the winemaking of rosé sparkling wines (addition to the base wine and to the sparkling wine after disgorging) on evolution of the phytochemical composition during aging on lees and commercial storage were studied for the first time. The sparkling wines were monitored during 12 months of aging on lees (sur lie, with lees) and commercial storage (bottle storage, without lees), in terms of the polyphenolics, color intensity and antioxidant capacity. It was observed that the stage of the addition of oenological agents influenced the changes in phytochemical polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of sparkling wines. The most notable effects on the polyphenolics were observed in the experiment with the addition of oenological agents to the base wine, which significantly increased the concentrations of trans-resveratrol, gallic and ellagic acids, catechin, quercetin, and myricetin. The addition of oenological agents after the disgorging stage had less influence on the phenolics of the sparkling wines. Caffeic acid, trans-caftaric acid, catechin, tyrosol, and gallic acid were the most abundant polyphenolics in rosé sparkling wines. The winemaking practices evaluated in this study comprise an interesting approach to the improvement and/or maintenance of the polyphenolics, according to winemaking practices, besides providing new knowledge on the evolution of rosé sparkling wines. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Tannins and gum arabic are been described as oenological agents, however, are poorly explored in rosé sparkling wines. Many chemical modifications that occur during the winemaking process, especially due to the second in-bottle fermentation and the yeast contact in the case of sparkling wines, can be determinant of authenticity and quality of sparkling wines. The addition of oenological agents in different stages of the winemaking can provide new insights into the evolution of phytochemical constituents of rosé sparkling wines and draw perspectives for improving technological properties of these wines based on practical experience.

Volatile composition of Merlot red wine and its contribution to the aroma: optimization and validation of analytical method.

A methodology for the determination of volatile compounds in red wine using headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-ion trap/ mass spectrometry (GC-IT/MS) and flame ionization detector (GC -FID) was developed, validated and applied to a sample of Brazilian red wine. The optimization strategy was conducted using the Plackett-Burman design for variable selection and central composite rotational design (CCRD). The response surface methodology showed that the performance of the extraction of the volatile compounds using divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) fiber is improved with no sample dilution, the addition of 30% NaCl, applying an extraction temperature of 56°C and extraction time of 55min. The qualitative method allowed the extraction and identification of 60 volatile compounds in the sample studied, notably the classes of esters, alcohols, and fatty acids. Furthermore, the method was successfully validated for the quantification of 55 volatile compounds of importance in wines and applied to twelve samples of Merlot red wine from South of Brazil. The calculation of the odor activity value (OAV) showed the most important components of the samples aroma. Ethyl isovalerate, ethyl hexanoate, 1-hexanol, octanoic acid and ethyl cinnamate had the greatest contribution to the aroma of the wines analyzed, which is predominantly fruity with the presence of herbal and fatty odors.

Particularities of Syrah wines from different growing regions of Southern Brazil: grapevine phenology and bioactive compounds.

The aim of this study was to monitor the phenological parameters of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) of Syrah variety recently introduced in the region of Marari, Água Doce, Campos Novos and São Joaquim, Santa Catarina State (SC), Brazil, and to characterize the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of wines produced from this variety of the vintages 2010 and 2011. The adaptation of the grapevine to climate conditions of these grape growing regions of Southern Brazil for this variety has also been assessed. The climate variations occurring between the phenological cycles of grapevine of Syrah for each growing region influenced the phenological extension and heat accumulation of the grapevine. The wines showed significant levels of phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity, while catechin, a potent antioxidant, was the main phenolic compound quantified in wines. Positive correlations between the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were observed. The principal component analysis confirmed the influence of the growing region and vintages on the phenolic composition of wines, indicating the importance of climate conditions. This study identified possible phenolic markers indicative of climatic influence.

Nitrogen compounds in must and volatile profile of white wine: Influence of clarification process before alcoholic fermentation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding a fining agent to the must in relation to the fermentation kinetics and the volatile composition of the wine produced. Three fining agents, bentonite, pectinolytic enzyme and silica were applied, separately, to samples of Chardonnay must. It was observed that the addition of a fining agent had a significant influence on the must and wine composition. The must clarified with bentonite showed the lowest nitrogen content and the enzyme addition led to the highest nitrogen content. During the fermentation process, a difference in the consumption rate was observed for each amino acid in relation to the fining agent used in the process. In relation to the volatile composition, the wine produced had different characteristics according to the fining agent added to the must, which was confirmed by separation of the samples using principal component analysis.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of blueberry extract (Vaccinium corymbosum).

Blueberries are among the edible fruits that are recognized best for their potential health benefits. The crude extract from Vaccinium corymbosum was assessed in anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive models. The crude hydroalcoholic extract was administered orally at doses of 100, 200 or 300 mg kg (-1) for all the assays. In the carrageenan test, the crude extract reduced rat paw oedema by 9.8, 28.5 and 65.9%, respectively. For the histamine assay, the reductions of oedema were 70.1, 71.7 and 81.9%, respectively. In the myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay, 300 mg kg (-1) crude extract produced a significant inhibition of the MPO activity, at 6 h and 24 h after injection of carrageenan, by 42.8 and 46.2%, respectively. With the granulomatous tissue assay dexamethasone displayed significant activity, whereas the blueberry extract was inactive. For the abdominal constriction test, inhibitions of 49.0, 54.5, 53.5%, respectively, were observed for the crude extract, and 61.4% for indometacin. In the formalin test, the crude extract (200 and 300 mg kg (-1)) and indometacin inhibited only the second phase by 36.2, 35.3 and 45.8%, respectively. Considering that the crude extract of blueberry displayed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, its consumption may be helpful for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.