This study presents the results of conventional aqueous (CE) and non-conventional ultrasound-assisted (UAE) extractions of polyphenolic compounds from lees extracts of red wine varieties (Merlot and Vranac). The effect of ultrasound extraction time (t, s), and amplitude (A,%) from a 400 W ultrasound processor with different ultrasonic probes diameters (Ds, mm) on the amount and profile of polyphenolic compounds in the obtained extracts was investigated and compared to CE. The optimal conditions resulting in maximum extraction of phenolic compounds were: Probe diameter of 22 mm, amplitude 90% and extraction time for Vranac wine lees 1500 s and for Merlot wine lees extraction time of 1361 s. UAE proved to be significantly more effective in enhancing the extraction capacity of trans-resveratrol glucoside (30.57% to 300%), trans-resveratrol (36.36% to 45.75%), quercetin (39.94% to 43.83%), kaempferol (65.13% to 72.73%), petunidin-3-glucoside (41.53% to 64.95%), malvidin-3-glucoside (47.63% to 89.17%), malvidin-3-(6-O-acetyl) glucoside (23.84% to 49.74%), and malvidin-3-(6-O-p-coumaroyl) glucoside (26.77% to 34.93%) as compared to CE. Ultrasound reduced the extraction time (2.5-fold) and showed an increase of antioxidant potential by 76.39% (DPPH) and 125.83% (FRAP) compared to CE.
IntroductionGrapes are one of the fruit crops produced in largest quantities throughout the world. About 80% of all grapes are used in wine production [1]. The annual production of 60 million tons of grapes is mostly for wine production, which consequently generates huge amounts of by-products such as stalks, pomace, seeds, and lees. These by-products are potentially good sources of valuable bioactive compounds. Wine lees are the sediment remaining in vessels containing wine after fermentation and during wine maturation [2]. According to the EEC regulation 337/79 wine lees are defined as residues formed at the bottom of vessels containing wine, after fermentation, during storage, as well as the residue obtained following filtration or centrifugation [3]. It is a known fact that the skin and seeds of black grape berries (V. vinifera L.), as well as red wines naturally contain more than 200 different polyphenolic compounds [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Previous studies performed on extraction of polyphenolic compounds from red grapes were mostly focused on their extraction from seeds or the epidermis of grape berries. Highly profitable commercial extracts of polyphenolic compounds originating from grapes can be found in the market [9][10][11][12].Scientific studies have confirmed that polyphenolic compounds have a positive impact on human health, primarily due to their antioxidant effects that protect the body from harmful radicals [13][14][15][16][17]. Higher consumption of phenolic antioxidants (accomplished through moderate consumption of wine, especially red wine) correlates to a decreased incidence of certain coronary heart diseases [18][19][20][21][22][23]. The most relevant phenolic and polyphenolic compounds in red grapes are tannins, anthocyan...