Improved fluorescence-based evaluation of flavonoid in red and white winegrape cultivars

Background and Aims Modern viticulture requires robust, fast, non-destructive methods to assess berry composition. We tested a chlorophyll fluorescence screening method to estimate berry phenolic substances. Methods and Results We focused on anthocyanin and flavonol in red and white cultivars. The ANTH_RG index was dependent on the cultivar anthocyanin profile. In Nebbiolo, in which dihydroxylated anthocyanins prevail, ANTH_RG was 2.4 times higher than in Barbera, in which trihydroxylated anthocyanins prevail. Considering the profiles of the two cultivars at similar anthocyanin concentration and their relative in vitro absorbance, a bathochromic shift of 10 nm emerged, which can explain the different screening effect exerted by anthocyanin on chlorophyll fluorescence. As to flavanols, we propose the calibration of a new spectroscopic index, the FLAV_UV, in coloured and white berries, finding good correlation with flavonol concentration determined analytically (R2 higher than 0.7). Conclusions Spectroscopic indices can estimate the concentration of anthocyanin and flavonol in grape berries. Significance of the Study A calibration curve for Nebbiolo, which has a distinctive anthocyanin profile, and the calibration of a new index, the FLAV_UV, able to estimate flavonol concentration in both red and white cultivars, are described for the first time. These indices can effectively be applied for non-destructive assessment of grape flavonoid.