BACKGROUND: Every year, the viticulture activity generates considerable amounts of underused lignocellulosic residues as grape cane, which are generally composted or burned despite their potential value as a source of bioactive compounds. Determination of their phytochemical composition and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) may be a useful way of exploiting different high-added value applications.
RESULTS: Twenty-one phenolic compounds (PC) and two carotenoids (Car) were quantified by high performance-liquid chromatography-diode array detection in eight grape varieties from different locations inMendoza, Argentina. The maximum concentrations corresponded to the stilbene -viniferin [10 552 g g −1 dry weight (DW)], followed by the flavanols (+)-catechin (3718 g g −1 DW) and (−)-epicatechin (2486 g g −1 DW). In addition, lutein and -carotene were quantified at levels ranging between 350 and 2400 ng g −1 DW. The TAC of the extracts was assessed by oxygen radical absorbance capacity , 2,20-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assays, with a good correlation between TAC and total PC for each sample (r ≥ 0.82). CONCLUSION: Samples of cv. Malbec, the most representative variety of Argentina's winemaking industry, presented high contents of PC, particularly -viniferin, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin. Quercetin-3-galactoside, OH-tyrosol and Car were reported for the first time in grape canes of the eight varieties. The results add to the existing knowledge related to this inexpensive source of high-value bioactive compounds, which could be used as functional ingredients.