Towards a scientific interpretation of the terroir concept: plasticity of the grape berry metabolome

BACKGROUND: The definition of the terroir concept is one of the most debated issues in oenology and viticulture. The dynamic interaction among diverse factors including the environment, the grapevine plant and the imposed viticultural techniques means that the wine produced in a given terroir is unique. However, there is an increasing interest to define and quantify the contribution of individual factors to a specific terroir objectively. Here, we characterized the metabolome and transcriptome of berries from a single clone of the Corvina variety cultivated in seven different vineyards, located in three macrozones, over a 3-year trial period. RESULTS: To overcome the anticipated strong vintage effect, we developed statistical tools that allowed us to identify distinct terroir signatures in the metabolic composition of berries from each macrozone, and from different vineyards within each macrozone. We also identified non-volatile and volatile components of the metabolome which are more plastic and therefore respond differently to terroir diversity. We observed some relationships between the plasticity of the metabolome and transcriptome, allowing a multifaceted scientific interpretation of the terroir concept. CONCLUSIONS: Our experiments with a single Corvina clone in different vineyards have revealed the existence of a clear terroir-specific effect on the transcriptome and metabolome which persists over several vintages and allows each vineyard to be characterized by the unique profile of specific metabolites.Andrea Anesi, Matteo Stocchero, Silvia Dal Santo, Mauro Commisso, Sara Zenoni, Stefania Ceoldo, Giovanni Battista Tornielli, Tracey E. Siebert, Markus Herderich, Mario Pezzotti and Flavia Guzz

Antioxidant properties and color of Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts

Liquid extracts of dried Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyces obtained using ethanol:water (50:50 and 70:30%, v/v), water, ethanol:1.5 N HCl (85:25%, v/v), and ethanol (96%) to evaluate selected antioxidant characteristics (phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity), color parameters (L, a, and b), and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-O-sambubioside, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (myrtillin), and cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The total monomeric anthocyanin content was also assessed using the differential pH technique. The phenolic compound content ranged from 1,067±22 (in ethanol) to 2,649±96 (in ethanol:water 70:30%) mg of gallic acid100 g-1 of dehydrated calyces, and the antioxidant capacity ranged from 3.11±0.50 (in ethanol) to 8.0±0.2 mmoles of trolox100 g-1 of calyces. The total monomeric anthocyanin content (209±21 mg100 g-1) was similar to that obtained using the HPLC technique (215±31 mg100 g-1) when extracting the calyces with the 50:50% (v/v) ethanol:water solution. The deepest red-purple (Hue = 62.50±0.34) colored solution was observed when extracting the calyces with ethanol. The antioxidant and color properties of Roselle calyces make the extracts ideal for use in foods as a natural extract, concentrate, or powder.Se obtuvieron extractos líquidos de cálices secos de flor de Jamaica (Hibiscus sabdariffa) usando etanol:agua (en proporciones de 50:50 y 70:30%, v/v), agua, etanol:HCl 1.5 N (85:25%, v/v), y etanol (96%), para evaluar algunas características antioxidantes (compuestos fenólicos y capacidad antioxidante), parámetros de color (L, a, and b), antocianinas (delfinidin-3-O-sambubiosido, delfinidin-3-O-glucósido (mirtillin) y cianidin-3-O-sambubiosido), por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC), y antocianinas monoméricas totales, por el método de pH diferencial. Los compuestos fenóli-cos se encontraron en un intervalo de 1.067±22 (en etanol) a 2.649±96 (en etanol:agua 70:30%, v/v) mg of ácido gálico 100 g-1 de cálices secos de flor de Jamaica. La capacidad antioxidante se encontró en un rango de 3,11±0,50 (en etanol) a 8,04±0,22 mmoles de trolox 100 g-1 de cálices secos de flor de Jamaica. El contenido de antocianinas monoméricas totales (209±21 mg 100-1 g), evaluado por el método de pH diferencial, resultó similar al obtenido por el método de HPLC (215±31 mg 100 g-1) al usar la solución de etanol:agua al 50:50% (v/v) como agente de extracción. La solución de color rojo más intenso (Tono = 62,50±0,34) fue la obtenida con etanol. Las propiedades antioxidantes y de color de flor de Jamaica hacen que los extractos de esta flor sean de importancia primordial para ser usados en alimentos como extractos naturales, en forma concentrada o en polvo

Single and competitive adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions onto industrial chili seeds (Capsicum annuum) waste

In this work, the single and binary adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) onto industrial chili seeds (CS) (Capsicum annuum) from aqueous solutions was investigated as a possible low-cost biosorbent for the removal of toxic heavy metals from aqueous solutions. The dependence of the adsorption capacity of CS on the solution pH and temperature, and the presence of competitive metal were also studied in detail. The adsorption equilibrium experiments of Cd(II) and Pb(II) on CS were conducted in a batch adsorber. The Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models were fitted to the single adsorption equilibrium data and the latter provided a better fit. Moreover, it was found that the adsorption capacity of CS towards Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions was greatly increased by increasing the solution pH. The effect of the pH was attributed to the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged CS surface and the Cd2+ and Pb2+ cations in the aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity was slightly increased by raising the temperature because the adsorption of Cd(II) or Pb(II) ions on CS was an endothermic process. The experimental binary adsorption data were satisfactorily interpreted using the modified Langmuir multicomponent isotherm and the competitive adsorption of Cd(II)-Pb(II) on CS revealed that the affinity of Pb(II) for CS was more than 5 times higher than that of Cd(II)

Analysis of Caloric and Noncaloric Sweeteners Present in Dairy Products Aimed at the School Market and Their Possible Effects on Health

Over the past decades, Mexico has become one of the main sweetener-consuming countries in the world. Large amounts of these sweeteners are in dairy products aimed at the children’s market in various presentations such as yogurt, flavored milk, flan, and cheeses. Although numerous studies have shown the impact of sweeteners in adults, the current evidence for children is insufficient and discordant to determine if these substances have any risk or benefit on their well-being. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the sweeteners present in 15 dairy products belonging to the school-age children’s market in Mexico and their impact on health. These dairy products were selected through a couple of surveys directed at parents of school-age children. After that, the list of ingredients of each product was analyzed to identify their sweetener content. From there, exhaustive bibliographic research on sweeteners and their possible health effects was carried out, which included 109 articles and 18 studies. The results showed that at a neurological, endocrinological, cardiovascular, metabolic, osseous, renal, hepatic, dental, reticular, carcinogenic, and gut microbiota level; sucrose, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, maltodextrins, sucralose, and acesulfame K, have a negative effect. While maltodextrins, stevia, polydextrose, and modified starch have a positive one. For these reasons, it is necessary to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages that the consumption of each sweetener entails, as well as a determination of the appropriate acceptable daily intake (ADI)