Romanian Organic and Conventional Red Grapes Vineyards as Potential Sources of High Value-Added Products, in a Circular Economy Approach

Abstract

The use of natural ingredients with active functions has been intensively studied in the last years, as a consequence to consumer preferences for organic products. Application of circular economy principles determined a significant research activity in the viticulture field. The use or re-use of vines parts for so-called nutraceuticals or other consumer-goods applications, are basically centered on their phytochemical and microbiological characterization. Eurostat updates ranks Romania fifth among the EU member states, with a total area under vines of 183,717 hectares. Characterization of four Vitis vinifera L. varieties, out of which one pure Romanian variety (Feteasca Neagra), cultivated in organic and conventional vineyards, together with pedoclimatic conditions have been provided. Data on phytochemical parameters and antimicrobial activity of extracts obtained from different anatomic parts of grapes were included. Analytical protocols and techniques applied were presented, together with data and results interpretation. Several chemometric algorithms have been used as complementary tools for interpretation of the instrumental analytical data.

Phytochemical Statistical Mapping of Red Grape Varieties Cultivated in Romanian Organic and Conventional Vineyards

“…The total antioxidant activity of the grape fractions was determined using the phosphomolybdenum complex formation method developed by Prieto et al, slightly modified according to the experimental conditions, as described previously [ 70 , 71 ], in a way considered more suitable when red grape extracts are investigated, as it avoids color interferences with the natural colors of the extracts.…”

Grape by-Products: Potential Sources of Phenolic Compounds for Novel Functional Foods

“…Grapes (Vitisspp) are one of the largest and most important fruit crops, which have been cultivated for thousands of years and have been blessed by several ancient civilizations for their use in winemaking [6][7][8][9][10]. Grapes have gained high economic production in grape juice, seed oil, raisins, vinegar, jams, and jellies [11,12].…”

“…Recent research [23,24] highlights the anticarcinogenic and anti-mutagenic potential of tannins, respectively, explanations based on their antioxidant properties, important in protection against oxidative destruction of cells, including in the prevention of lipid peroxidation. Tannins also have antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria, yeasts, molds, and viruses [6][7][8].…”

“…These phenolics are secondary plant metabolites [35,36] and possess antioxidant [25], antiviral [37], antimicrobial [38,39], and anti-inflammatory [40,41] properties that vary by grape variety. The constant interest in the biological activity of organically grown grapes and grape by-products contributes to their capitalization as a source of bioactive phytochemicals with potential applications in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries [6,7,26,27,42].…”

Characterization of Băbească Neagră Grape Pomace and Incorporation into Jelly Candy: Evaluation of Phytochemical, Sensory, and Textural Properties

“…Romania has a significant range of indigenous varieties ( Vitis vinifera L.), widely distributed throughout the country, e.g., Fetească Neagră, Băbească Neagră, Busuioacă Neagră, Busuioacă de Bohotin, Fetească Albă, Grasă de Cotnari, Tămâioasă Românească, Galbenă de Odobești, and Riesling de Banat [ 11 ]. Băbească Neagră (also Rară Neagră) is a dark-skinned grape variety native to Romania and the Republic of Moldova; the grapes are medium to large, cylindrical–conical with medium-sized and spherical berries which easily accumulate significant amounts of sugar (210–220 g/L) [ 12 ].…”