Comparison of the anthocyanin composition during ripening of Syrah grapes grown using organic or conventional agricultural practices.

The anthocyanin composition of Syrah grapes harvested at different stages of ripening and produced using organic or conventional agriculture was studied. Samples of grapes were collected from veraison to full maturity in each plot, and the content in nine anthocyanins was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The total content in anthocyanins during ripening of the conventionally grown grapes was significantly higher compared to that found in the organic production.

Synthesis and surface-active properties of a new class of surfactants derived from D-gluconic acid.

Novel sugar-based surfactants were synthesized starting from D-gluconolactone. Three different functional groups were used to link the sugar moiety and the hydrophobic part. The physico-chemical properties for the use as adjuvant for pesticidal formulations of one of these compounds were evaluated and compared.