Microclimate influence on mineral and metabolic profiles of grape berries

The grape berry microclimate is known to influence berry quality. The effects of the light exposure of grape berry clusters on the composition of berry tissues were studied on the "Merlot" variety grown in a vineyard in Bordeaux, France. The light exposure of the fruiting zone was modified using different intensities of leaf removal, cluster position relative to azimuth, and berry position in the cluster. Light exposures were identified and classified by in situ measurements of berry temperatures. Berries were sampled at maturity (>19 Brix) for determination of skin and/or pulp chemical and metabolic profiles based on (1) chemical and physicochemical measurement of minerals (N, P, K, Ca, Mg), (2) untargeted 1H NMR metabolic fingerprints, and HPLC targeted analyses of (3) amino acids and (4) phenolics. Each profile defined by partial least-square discriminant analysis allowed us to discriminate berries from different light exposure. Discriminant compounds between shaded and light-exposed berries were quercetin-3-glucoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside, myricetin-3-glucoside, and isorhamnetin-3-glucoside for the phenolics, histidine, valine, GABA, alanine, and arginine for the amino acids, and malate for the organic acids. Capacities of the different profiling techniques to discriminate berries were compared. Although the proportion of explained variance from the 1H NMR fingerprint was lower compared to that of chemical measurements, NMR spectroscopy allowed us to identify lit and shaded berries. Light exposure of berries increased the skin and pulp flavonols, histidine and valine contents, and reduced the organic acids, GABA, and alanine contents. All the targeted and nontargeted analytical data sets used made it possible to discriminate sun-exposed and shaded berries. The skin phenolics pattern was the most discriminating and allowed us to sort sun from shade berries. These metabolite classes can be used to qualify berries collected in an undetermined environment. The physiological significance of light and temperature effects on berry composition is discussed.     

1H NMR and chemometrics to characterize mature grape berries in four wine-growing areas in Bordeaux, France

The biochemical composition of grape berries depends on the cultivar genome and is influenced by environmental conditions and growing practices, which vary according to origin and "terroir" (French word accounting for the factors of climate, soil, and cultural practices on grape and wine quality). The components currently measured to determine the potential quality of grapes for wine-making at harvest are sugars, acidity, pH, and total phenolics, referred to as "classic analysis". The aim of this work was to establish metabolic profiles using both conventional physicochemical analyses and 1H NMR spectrometry of the skin and pulp of mature berry extracts in order in four appellations situated in different locations in southern-western France (Bordeaux). Principal component analysis was applied to the physiochemical and 1H NMR data to investigate the variability of the grape composition and to characterize groups of samples. A significant clustering of the metabolic profile of pulps or skins in relation to their terroir was observed. Physicochemical analyses were more discriminant than 1H NMR data, but NMR spectroscopy allowed metabolic finger-printings using identified metabolites and some still nonattributed resonances.     

Effects of Foliar Biofertilizer Sprays on Nutrient Uptake,Yield, and Quality Parameters of Blaufrankish (Vitis vinifera L.) Grapes

Nowadays the main task of scientists is to find natural ways of improving plant productivity that lead to environmentally friendly agriculture. Biofertilizers have a great potential to achieve this aim but unfortunately there is little information about their application in grape growing in Hungary. For this reason, a foliar nutrition experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of two biofertilizers (an algae product and a biostimulator, containing amino acids) on yield, leaf nutrient concentration, and quality parameters of Blaufrankish grape variety. The study was conducted in 2012 at Noszvaj in northeastern Hungary in a 24-year-old grapevine plantation on cv. Blaufrankish. Treatments (application time and doses) were adjusted to the phenological phases of grapevine. Effect of treatments was monitored by soil and leaf analysis, grape quality measurements, and field observations. Treatments increased the yield but did not affect the fruit quality compared to the control. The applied products significantly increased the bunch weight and the size of berries. Applied biofertilizers had no effect on leaf nutrient concentration. According to our field observations, it seemed that treated vines had larger and greener leaves.     

1H nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomic characterization of wines by grape varieties and production areas

(1)H NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the metabolic differences in wines produced from different grape varieties and different regions. A significant separation among wines from Campbell Early, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz grapes was observed using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The metabolites contributing to the separation were assigned to be 2,3-butanediol, lactate, acetate, proline, succinate, malate, glycerol, tartarate, glucose, and phenolic compounds by PCA and PLS-DA loading plots. Wines produced from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested in the continental areas of Australia, France, and California were also separated. PLS-DA loading plots revealed that the level of proline in Californian Cabernet Sauvignon wines was higher than that in Australian and French Cabernet Sauvignon, Australian Shiraz, and Korean Campbell Early wines, showing that the chemical composition of the grape berries varies with the variety and growing area. This study highlights the applicability of NMR-based metabolomics with multivariate statistical data sets in determining wine quality and product origin.     

Profiling of hydroxycinnamoyl tartrates and acylated anthocyanins in the skin of 34 Vitis vinifera genotypes

The diversity of berry skin flavonoids in grape genotypes has been previously widely investigated with regard to major compounds (nonacylated anthocyanins and flavonols), but much less with regard to acylated anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamoyl tartrates (HCTs). In this study, the composition of the phenolic fraction of the berry skin (free and acylated anthocyanins, flavonols, and HCTs) was assessed on 34 grapevine genotypes grown in a collection vineyard in northwestern Italy. The phenolic fraction was profiled on berries collected in the same vineyard, at the same ripening level across two successive vintages. The anthocyanin, HCT, and flavonol profiles were specific of each genotype, and the first two were relatively little affected by the vintage. A wide diversity in the polyphenolic fraction was shown among cultivars. Besides expected discriminatory effects of free anthocyanins and flavonol profiles, principal component analyses allowed a good discrimination of cultivars on the basis of coumaroylated anthocyanins and of the HCT profile. Anthocyanins were mostly acylated by aromatic acids, and acylation was independent from the anthocyanin substrate. HCTs were present mostly as coumaroyl and caffeoyl derivatives, and no correlation was observed between the same acylation patterns of tartrate and of anthocyanins. The results of this study are discussed in the light of new hypotheses on still unknown biosynthetic steps of phenolic substances and of the potential use of these substances in discrimination and identification of different grape cultivars in wines.     

敦煌市葡萄园土壤呼吸及其组分变化

[目的]分析西北干旱区葡萄园土壤呼吸及其组分变化特征,同时探究其与土壤温湿度的关系,为西北干旱区的土壤碳排放估算及其特色农业发展提供一定的参考.[方法]于2019年6-12月采用LI-8100 A土壤呼吸测量系统和自动气象站观测甘肃省敦煌市南湖绿洲葡萄园的土壤呼吸及环境因子,通过根排除法区分土壤呼吸组分.[结果]①观测...     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Characterization of phenolic profiles of Northern European berries by capillary electrophoresis and determination of their antioxidant activity

Berries are known to contain phenolic substances (i.e., flavonoids and phenolic acids), which comprise two large and heterogeneous groups of biologically active nonnutrients. This investigation evaluated the content and profile of the phenolic compounds present in six different berries found in Northern Europe. The latter included bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa), black currant (Ribes nigrum), and red currant (Ribes rubrum). The study was focused on two areas. The first involved the extraction and analysis of berries for total phenolic content and determination of their antioxidant activity. The total phenolic level of berries was correlated with their antioxidant activity. Second, the berry extracts were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis to determine the content and profile of selected bioactive compounds. The analytes of interest included trans-resveratrol, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, and morin.     

Stilbene content of mature Vitis vinifera berries in response to UV-C elicitation

A method using HPLC analysis has been used to compare the level of resveratrol and its derivatives, piceid, pterostilbene and epsilon-viniferin, in grapevine berries of three Vitis vinifera varieties. The concentration of these compounds has been evaluated in healthy and Botrytis cinerea infected grape clusters, both in natural vineyard conditions and in response to UV elicitation.     

Effects of vine or bunch shading on the glycosylated flavor precursors in grapes of Vitis vinifera L. Cv. syrah

Effects of the modification of vine or bunch environment on glycoconjugates were studied in Syrah berries over two years. Vines were shaded from berry set to maturity, with black polyethylene nets of different mesh size to obtain 30 and 50% of the direct sunlight. Bunches were naturally shaded by the leaves or artificially with 90% shade bags. Sun-exposed berries were chosen as control berries. A quantitative decrease in levels of glycoconjugates was observed in shaded bunches, particularly for phenolic and C(13)-norisoprenoidic glycosides. In the same way, vine shading caused a decrease in the contents of glycosides of terpenols, phenols, and C(13)-norisoprenoids in berries, but the grape environment (microclimate) affected the berry composition more than the vine environment. A cluster thinning experiment confirmed the independence of grapes with regard to the plant for the biosynthesis of the C(13)-norisoprenoid glycosides.     

Metabolic influence of Botrytis cinerea infection in champagne base wine

Botrytis cinerea infection of grape berries leads to changes in the chemical composition of grape and the corresponding wine and, thus, affects wine quality. The metabolic effect of Botrytis infection in Champagne base wine was investigated through a (1)H NMR-based metabolomic approach. Isoleucine, leucine, threonine, valine, arginine, proline, glutamine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), succinate, malate, citrate, tartarate, fructose, glucose, oligosaccharides, amino acid derivatives, 2,3-butanediol, acetate, glycerol, tyrosine, 2-phenylethanol, trigonelline, and phenylpropanoids in a grape must and wine were identified by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and contributed to metabolic differentiations between healthy and botrytized wines by using multivariate statistical analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA). Lowered levels of glycerol, 2,3-butanediol, succinate, tyrosine, valine derivative, and phenylpropanoids but higher levels of oligosaccharides in the botrytized wines were main discriminant metabolites, demonstrating that Botrytis infection of grape caused the fermentative retardation during alcoholic fermentation because the main metabolites responsible for the differentiation are fermentative products. Moreover, higher levels of several oligosaccharides in the botrytized wines also indicated the less fermentative behavior of yeast in the botrytized wines. This study highlights a metabolomic approach for better understanding of the comprehensive metabolic influences of Botrytis infection of grape berries in Champagne wines.     

Phytochemical composition and metabolic performance-enhancing activity of dietary berries traditionally used by Native North Americans

Four wild berry species, Amelanchier alnifolia, Viburnum trilobum, Prunus virginiana, and Shepherdia argentea, all integral to the traditional subsistence diet of Native American tribal communities, were evaluated to elucidate phytochemical composition and bioactive properties related to performance and human health. Biological activity was screened using a range of bioassays that assessed the potential for these little-known dietary berries to affect diabetic microvascular complications, hyperglycemia, pro-inflammatory gene expression, and metabolic syndrome symptoms. Nonpolar constituents from berries, including carotenoids, were potent inhibitors of aldose reductase (an enzyme involved in the etiology of diabetic microvascular complications), whereas the polar constituents, mainly phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins, were hypoglycemic agents and strong inhibitors of IL-1beta and COX-2 gene expression. Berry samples also showed the ability to modulate lipid metabolism and energy expenditure in a manner consistent with improving metabolic syndrome. The results demonstrate that these berries traditionally consumed by tribal cultures contain a rich array of phytochemicals that have the capacity to promote health and protect against chronic diseases, such as diabetes.     

Effect of Molybdenum Foliar Sprays on Yield,Berry Size,Seed Formation,and Petiolar Nutrient Composition of “Merlot” Grapevines

Abstract

Field experiments with irrigated “Merlot” vines were carried out at 3 sites in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia over 3 years to examine the effects of molybdenum (Mo) foliar sprays on bunch yield, berry size, and nutrient composition of petioles. Bunches were divided into different size grades for black and green berries. Basal petioles were sampled at flowering and veraison for nutrient analyses. In year 3, seed number per berry was assessed at sites 2 and 3. Two Mo foliar sprays (each spray contained 118 g Mo as sodium molybdate/ha in 410–800 L/ha of water) applied before flowering increased yield per vine and bunch weight in all experiments in year 2 and at site 3 in year 3. Yield responses ranged from 221% at site 1 to 750% at site 2 in year 2 and 70% for site 3, year 3. Average bunch weight increased from 243% at site 2 to 425% at site 1 for year 2 and by 69% at site 3 in year 3, and was the main yield component affected by Mo application. In year 1, the application of Mo did not affect yield or bunch weight at any site. In year 2, the application of Mo increased the yield of 5–15 mm colored berries by 301, 499, and 258% at sites 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and by 70% at site 3, year 3. Mo application increased the percent of berries, which had one or more functional seeds (when assessed at sites 2 and 3 in year 3). Molybdenum concentrations in petioles sampled at flowering and veraison increased in response to applied Mo in all years. Petiolar Mo concentrations in unsprayed vines were consistently higher in year 1 compared with other years. The effect of applied Mo on the concentration of other nutrients in basal petioles sampled at flowering and veraison were small and of little practical importance. Nitrate-N did not accumulate in the petioles of unsprayed plants in any year. Changes in petiolar Mo concentrations between flowering and veraison were dependent on supply. Nitrate-N, total-N, and phosphorus (P) concentrations declined with time, while calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) tended to increase. At flowering, Mo concentrations in basal petioles of 0.05–0.09 mg/kg were associated with significant bunch yield response to applied Mo. Molybdenum deficiency can be a major factor in the occurrence of berry development disorders such as shot berry formation and hens and chickens (millerandage) in “Merlot” grapevines. The increased percent of colored berries with one or more functional seeds and the decrease in the proportion of green berries suggests that Mo application affected pollination and/or fertilization, and thereafter berry development.     

Evaluation of temporal, spatial, and tillage-induced variability for parameterization of soil infiltration

Model simulation of water and chemical transport requires information on soil hydraulic properties. Recently, independent parameterization methods have been developed to characterize soil type, tillage, temporal and spatial effects of soils. This study determines the relative magnitude of tillage-induced, temporal (yearly and seasonal), and spatial (within fields and between rows) variability in a combined analysis of soil infiltration in an agricultural field and evaluates the appropriateness of various parameterization scenarios. Infiltration measurements were obtained in the row and interrow position under plow-tilled and ridge-tilled corn (Zea mays L.) in four replicates on multiple dates in a wetter (1990) and dryer year (1991). Measurements exhibited significant temporal variability within a growing season, especially in a dry year under plow till when soil cracking resulted in higher infiltration. Position with respect to the row was the most significant source of variability under ridge till, but not under plow till. Row and interrow differences in a ridge-tilled soil are the result of dense soil and lack of disturbance in the interrow. Yearly variations and field variability were relatively low. Differences between tillage practices were primarily expressed in variable susceptibility to spatial and temporal variation. Adequate parameterization of soil infiltration on agricultural fields requires recognition of various sources of variability under different tillage management systems, weather and climatic conditions, and soil types. High intrinsic variability of soil infiltration must be accounted for through increased sampling (e.g. duplicate measurements) and the use of stochastic methods.     

Analysis of anthocyanin variation in wild populations of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) in Finland

The berries of Vaccinium myrtillus L. are characterized by 15 anthocyanins. To study the variation in the anthocyanins on a south-north axis of about 1000 km in Finland, the berries from 179 individual bilberry plants in 20 populations were analyzed using an optimized RP-HPLC-DAD method. The mean content of the total anthocyanins was 2878 mg/100 g dry weight. There was extensive variation in the anthocyanin contents within and between the populations, suggesting differences in berry raw material. A significantly lower content of the total anthocyanins was observed in the berries of the southern region compared to those in the central and northern regions. Differences in the proportions of anthocyanins were also observed. The delphinidin glycosides dominated in the northern berries whereas the cyanidin glycosides were most common in the southern ones. Exceptional bilberry individuals were found mainly from eastern Finland with very low amounts of anthocyanidin glucosides. This is the first systematic study to reveal the extremely high variation in the content and distribution of anthocyanins in wild bilberries.     

Relationship between soil geochemistry and grape composition in Tuscany (Italy)

The concentrations of 13 trace elements were determined in soils and Sangiovese grapes collected in vineyard zones of Tuscany (Italy). The purpose was to establish a correspondence among the chemical composition of grape, the geochemistry of vineyard soil and the geolithological features of cultivation zone, and determine the provenance of the grapes by means of their chemical fingerprints. Statistical analysis of Ba, Rb and Sr concentrations distinguished three classes of grapes according to the geochemical and geopedological characteristics of the soils. Grapes with the highest Sr levels grew on high‐Sr soils derived from calcareous, calcareous‐marly and marly‐clayey rocks, whereas the most elevated Rb concentrations characterized the berries cultivated on soils formed from clayey‐marly and sandy‐marly lithologies. Grapes with the highest Ba concentrations grew on soil derived from arenaceous rocks and carbonate lithologies of evaporitic origin. These findings suggested that Ba, Rb and Sr could be used as fingerprints for the chemical traceability of Sangiovese grapes.     

Metabolic characterization of Brassica rapa leaves by NMR spectroscopy

The Brassica has been intensively studied due to the nutritional and beneficial effects. However, many species, varieties, and cultivars of this genus and the resulting large metabolic variation have been obstacles for systematic research of the plant. In order to overcome the problems posed by the biological variation, the metabolomic analysis of various cultivars of Brassica rapa was performed by NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis. Discriminating metabolites in different cultivars and development stages were elucidated by diverse 2D-NMR techniques after sorting out different significant signals using (1)H NMR measurements and principal component analysis. Among the elucidated metabolites, several organic and amino acids, carbohydrates, adenine, indole acetic acid (IAA), phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates were found to be the metabolites contributing to the differentiation between cultivars and age of Brassica rapa. On the basis of these results, the distribution of plant metabolites among different cultivars and development stages of B. rapa is discussed.     

Study of the cultivar-composition relationship in Sicilian olive oils by GC,NMR, and statistical methods

The aim of this research is to find if there is direct evidence relating the fatty acid composition of olive oils to specific cultivars grown within a well-limited geographical region. To group olive oils according to their own cultivars,(13)C high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography (GC) were used to analyze 60 extra virgin olive oils from the same Italian region (southwestern Sicily) obtained from four monovarietal cultivars. The (13)C NMR spectrum provides information about glycerol triesters of olive oils, i.e., about the acyl composition of major components and about the fatty acids' positional distribution on the glycerol moiety. GC gives the complete fatty acid profile of olive oil samples. Selection of NMR and GC peaks on the basis of their sensitivity to the different cultivars was performed by using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Principal component analysis, tree clustering analysis, multidimensional scaling (MDS), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were then performed on the MANOVA-selected peaks. Results obtained from (13)C NMR and GC techniques combined with the multivariate statistical procedure are in good agreement and prove the usefulness of fatty acids analysis to group the monovarietal olive oils belonging to the same cultivars. Grouping of olive oils according to their cultivars occurs for particular (13)C resonances all belonging to fatty chains in the sn 1,3 position of the glycerol moiety.     

Anatomical, histological, and histochemical changes in grape seeds from Vitis vinifera L. cv Cabernet franc during fruit development

Cabernet franc berries were sampled at five stages from berry set to harvest from an experimental vineyard in mid Loire Valley. Seeds were collected from representative berries in term of stage of development. The evolution of seed was followed both macro- and microscopically. For microscopy analysis, seeds were cut, put in a fixation solution, and cut into thin sections with a microtome. Five staining solutions were used for each seed sample: toluidine blue O, phloroglucinol, periodic acid-Schiff's reagent and naphtol blue black, vanillin, and p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde. Toluidine blue O staining revealed the evolution of tissue structures during grape seed development. We studied the changes in chemical compounds (lignin, polysaccharides, proteins, and tannins) with the other reagents. Seed lignification was achieved at veraison. Proanthocyanidins were localized in epidermis, inner cells of the soft seed coat, and inner cell layer of the inner integument. Finally, the localization of flavan-3-ols was linked with changes in cell walls of the outer integument.