Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Grape seed flavanols extraction and mechanical-acoustic properties as influenced by maceration time and ethanol content

Grape seed flavanols extraction and mechanical-acoustic properties as influenced by maceration time and ethanol content

Abstract

AIM: Grape flavanols are involved in wine quality markers such as in-mouth sensations and colour stability. In particular, seed flavanols are characterized by low molecular weight and high galloylation ratio, which are correlated respectively with bitterness and astringency. Their release during maceration is derived from the seed hydration and the ethanol-driven disassembly of cell walls that is promoted by maceration time. In this study, acoustic and mechanical parameters were tested to investigate the effect of maceration length and ethanol content on seed flavanols extraction. The magnitude of the changes observed in seeds hardness in the different maceration conditions was evaluated in the attempt to establish correlations with the extracted compounds.

METHODS: Pinot noir seeds were macerated in a wine-like solution (pH 3.40, 5 g/L tartaric acid) with different ethanol content (0, 5, 10, 15 and increasing addition up to 15% v/v). After 3, 7, and 10 days, total polyphenols (A280), condensed tannins (methylcellulose assay), flavanol composition as mean degree of polymerization (mDP), and monomeric content by HPLC were determined in the resulting solutions. Mechanical and acoustic parameters of macerated seeds were evaluated through compression test by instrumental texture analysis.

RESULTS: Seed tannins extraction was influenced by both ethanol and maceration time, in different extent depending on the specific compound. In all macerations, an initial seed deformation together with a loss of elasticity was reported. As well, seed hardness (as seed break force, N) increased in all macerations except for 15% ethanol samples that showed a significant decrease. In accordance, some acoustic parameters (as average acoustic energy, dB) increased significantly during maceration, and this last parameter was positively correlated with total polyphenols and condensed tannins extractions.

CONCLUSIONS:

Initial ethanol content and maceration length influenced flavanols richness and composition in the maceration extract. However, limited differences in both phenolic composition and texture parameters were found between the samples with no ethanol content and gradually-increasing alcohol strength

DOI:

Publication date: September 10, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Maria Alessandra Paissoni

University of Torino, Italy,Susana RÍO SEGADE, University of Torino, Italy Luca ROLLE, University of Torino, Italy Simone GIACOSA, University of Torino, Italy

Contact the author

Keywords

grape seeds, tannins, maceration, texture analysis, mechanical-acoustic properties

Citation

Related articles…

Prefermentative CO2 saturation of grape must to obtaining white wines with low SO2 content

The objective this work has been study the possibility of partially or completely replacing sulphur in the winemaking of white wines through the use of the prefermentative saturation of musts with CO2.

Drought tolerance assessment and differentiation of grapevine cultivars using physiological metrics: insights from field studies

This study aimed to validate a protocol and compare metrics for evaluating drought tolerance in two Vitis vinifera grapevine cultivars under field conditions. Various metrics were calculated to represent the physiological responses of plants to progressive water deficit. Data were collected from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay plants subjected to three irrigation levels during the 2022-2023 season, along with data from three previous seasons. Hydro-escape areas were used to assess the plant’s ability to reduce water potential with decreasing soil water availability.

Development of a new lab-scale carbonation method for applications to sparkling wines

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the gaseous species responsible for the sparkle in all sparkling wines, influencing their
visual appearance, aromas and mouthfeel.

Proposal of a procedure for sensory characterisation of wines from different subareas of a same D.O.C. (V.Q.P.R.D.)

In the course of the present work, which is the first part of a study on the “characterization of Barbera dell’Oltrepo Pavese D.O.C.” 30 wines Barbera from 1993 vintage have been compared only regarding their sensory characteristics. An unstructured scale card, composed by 15 descriptors have been used.

Inhibition of Oenococcus oeni during alcoholic fermentation by a selected Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain

The use of selected cultures of the species Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Oenology has grown in prominence in recent years. While initial applications of this species centred very much around malolactic fermentation (MLF), there is strong evidence to show that certain strains can be harnessed for their bio-protective effects. Unwanted spontaneous MLF during alcoholic fermentation (AF), driven by rogue Oenococcus oeni, is a winemaking deviation that is very difficult to manage when it occurs. This work set out to determine the efficacy of one particular strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum(Viniflora® NoVA™ Protect), against this problem in Cabernet Sauvignon must. The work was carried out at commercial scale and in a winery environment and compared the bio-protective culture with the more traditional approach of reducing must pH by the addition of tartaric acid. The combination of both was also investigated. The concentration of both Oenococcus oeni and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was determined using qPCR. The adventitious Oenococcus oeni showed the most growth during AF in the control wine, whereas in the wines treated with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum a bacteriostatic effect against this species was observed. This effect was comparable to the wines treated with tartaric acid. This has particular commercial relevance for controlling the flora in musts with high pH, or when the addition of tartaric acid is either not permitted or is prohibitive for other reasons.