Validation of an extraction method on whole pericarp of grape berry (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Shiraz) to study biochemical and molecular aspects of flavan-3-ol synthesis during berry development

J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Jul 23;56(14):5896-904. doi: 10.1021/jf800028k. Epub 2008 Jun 27.

Abstract

An extraction method on grape berry was optimized for the total flavan-3-ol content measurement with regard to the nature of the sample and the duration of its extraction. This extraction was performed for the first time on the whole pericarp. Flavan-3-ol extractions were achieved on Shiraz ripe samples of pericarp versus skin within different durations: the best results were obtained for the whole pericarp and 1 h duration. Therefore, this more convenient protocol was used to investigate the flavan-3-ol content at different stages through berry development, in parallel with the abundance of transcripts involved in their biosynthesis. Furthermore, flavan-3-ol extractions on pericarp analysis confirmed their presence in both pulp and skin. For the first time, the flavan-3-ol biosynthesis in pulp was demonstrated with both biochemical and transcriptomic analyses since the presence of leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR2) and anthocyanin reductase (ANR) transcripts was revealed by real-time PCR. In addition, the percentage of epigallocatechin was different in pulp and skin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anthocyanins / metabolism
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives
  • Catechin / analysis
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Flavonoids / biosynthesis*
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Fruit / growth & development*
  • Fruit / metabolism
  • Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Vitis / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Flavonoids
  • RNA, Messenger
  • flavan-3-ol
  • Catechin
  • Oxidoreductases
  • gallocatechol