Ozone and Bioactive Compounds in Grapes and Wine

Ozone-Induced Biochemical and Molecular Changes in Vitis vinifera Leaves and Responses to Botrytis cinerea Infections

To investigate how plants cope with multi-stress conditions, we analyzed the biochemical and molecular changes of Vitis vinifera leaves subjected to single or sequential double stresses (infection by Botrytis cinerea (Bc) and ozone (O₃, 100 ppb for 3 h) treatment). In Bc⁺/O₃^- leaves, the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) induction (observed at 12 and 24 h from the end of treatment (FET)) triggered a production of ethylene (Et; +35% compared with Bc^-/O₃^- leaves), which was preceded by an increase of salicylic acid (SA; +45%). This result confirms a crosstalk between SA- and Et-related signaling pathways in lesion spread. The ozone induced an early synthesis of Et followed by jasmonic acid (JA) and SA production (about 2-fold higher), where Et and SA signaling triggered reactive oxygen species production by establishing a feedback loop, and JA attenuated this cycle by reducing Et biosynthesis. In Bc⁺ + O₃⁺ leaves, Et peaked at 6 and 12 h FET, before SA confirmed a crosstalk between Et- and SA-related signaling pathways in lesion propagation. In O₃⁺ + Bc⁺ leaves, the H₂O₂ induction triggered an accumulation of JA and Et, demonstrating a synergistic action in the regulation of defence reactions. The divergence in these profiles suggests a rather complex network of events in the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in the systemic acquired resistance.

Antioxidant content and volatile composition of seedless table grape (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties

Grapes are important sources of phenolics, which are recognized to possess high biological value. In this work, we evaluated the total phenol content (TPC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), antioxidant activity (AA) and volatile composition of unstudied seedless table grape varieties (i.e., Autumn Crisp and Pristine as white cultivars, Scarlotta and Crimson as red cultivars and Adora and Melody as black cultivars). As a result, Adora and Melody exhibited higher TPCs, TACs and AA, measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and photochemiluminescence (PCL) assays, than the rest of the varieties. A comparison between the two black cultivars proved that Adora possessed higher TPC (62.70 mg GAE 100 g−1), DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 of 3.69 mg ml−1) and PCL antiradical activity (72.14 µg Trolox ml−1) than Melody (47.30 mg GAE 100 g−1, IC50 of 5.0 mg ml−1 and 42.36 µg Trolox ml−1, respectively). The volatile composition, determined by solid phase microextraction (SPME)–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), indicated a similar qualitative aroma profile for all varieties. However, quantitative differences were measured among them, which were reflected in distinct sensory perception by sensorial testing. From these results, Adora was selected for its antioxidant properties and flavor characteristics.

Thermal and Non-Thermal Treatments to Preserve and Encourage Bioactive Compounds in Fruit- and Vegetable-Based Products

Fruit- and vegetable-based products (F&Vs) have been conventionally processed using thermal techniques such as pasteurization, scalding, or/and drying, ensuring microbial safety and/or enzyme deactivation [...].

The Utilization of Physiologically Active Molecular Components of Grape Seeds and Grape Marc

Nutritional interventions may highly contribute to the maintenance or restoration of human health. Grapes (Vitis vinifera) are one of the oldest known beneficial nutritional components of the human diet. Their high polyphenol content has been proven to enhance human health beyond doubt in statistics-based public health studies, especially in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The current review concentrates on presenting and classifying polyphenol bioactive molecules (resveratrol, quercetin, catechin/epicatechin, etc.) available in high quantities in Vitis vinifera grapes or their byproducts. The molecular pathways and cellular signaling cascades involved in the effects of these polyphenol molecules are also presented in this review, which summarizes currently available in vitro and in vivo experimental literature data on their biological activities mostly in easily accessible tabular form. New molecules for different therapeutic purposes can also be synthesized based on existing polyphenol compound classes available in high quantities in grape, wine, and grape marc. Therefore an overview of these molecular structures is provided. Novel possibilities as dendrimer nanobioconjugates are reviewed, too. Currently available in vitro and in vivo experimental literature data on polyphenol biological activities are presented in easily accessible tabular form. The scope of the review details the antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, vasoprotective, and neuroprotective roles of grape-origin flavonoids. The novelty of the study lies in the description of the processing of agricultural by-products (grape seeds and skins) of industrial relevance, and the detailed description of the molecular mechanisms of action. In addition, the review of the clinical therapeutic applications of polyphenols is unique as no summary study has yet been done.