Screening of ordinary commercial varieties of apple fruits under different storage conditions for their potential vascular and metabolic protective properties.

Epidemiological studies reported that apple consumption is associated with a decrease of cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction, probably due to the polyphenols and fibers present in this fruit. The storage conditions and genetic origin of apples have been reported to influence their content and, as a consequence, their pharmacological properties. The present study evaluated the influence of varieties and storage conditions of traditional and highly appreciated apples including Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Pink Lady varieties after harvest and storage under classic cold conditions, under a controlled atmosphere, or under extreme ultra-low oxygen conditions.

Sensory representation of typicality of Cabernet franc wines related to phenolic composition: impact of ripening stage and maceration time.

Phenolics are responsible for important sensory properties of red wines, including colour, astringency, and possibly bitterness. From a technical viewpoint, the harvest date and the maceration duration are critical decisions for producing red wine with a distinctive style. But little is known about the evolution of phenolics and of their extractability during ripening to predict the composition of the wine and related sensory properties.

Evolution of the localisation and composition of phenolics in grape skin between veraison and maturity in relation to water availability and some climatic conditions.

Background: Several studies have investigated the composition of phenolics in grape skin during grape maturation under various conditions of light exposure, water stress, nitrogen supply and mineral nutrition, but their localisation during berry development is not well known. In this study the composition and localisation of proanthocyanidins were monitored for three years on four plots known to induce a distinctive behaviour of the vine (Cabernet Franc). The composition of phenolics was determined by spectrophotometry; also, in one year, proanthocyanidins were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Sensory dimension of wine typicality related to a terroir by Quantitative Descriptive Analysis, Just About Right analysis and typicality assessment.

The distinctive French wine style "Anjou Village Brissac" was investigated through Quantitative Descriptive Analysis by a sensory expert panel, through Just About Right analysis by wine experts, and through assessment of the typicality by wine experts. Typicality was defined as perceived representativeness, with good examples of the concept being considered more typical. Wine experts were producers, winemakers, and enologists from the area.

Responses of epidermal phenolic compounds to light acclimation: in vivo qualitative and quantitative assessment using chlorophyll fluorescence excitation spectra in leaves of three woody species.

Chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) excitation spectra were measured to assess the UV-sunscreen compounds accumulated in fully expanded leaves of three woody species belonging to different chemotaxons, (i.e. Morus nigra L.

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.