Ultrasound in the postharvest treatment of grapes: impact on the extractability and phenolic composition of juice and wine

Ultrasound has gained attention from the food industry because its properties, including chemical and physical reactions, enable a wide range of commercial applications. One of the most popular applications is the optimization of extraction of bioactive substances. Among the most recent applications is its use in postharvest of fruits and vegetables, wherein ultrasound functions as a possible elicitor agent promoting the synthesis of phenolic compounds. These substances are important in defining the chemical and sensory characteristics of juices, wines and other grape products because the concentration and extraction capacity of these compounds in grapes directly influence the product quality. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the application of ultrasound in American and vinifera grapes of different harvests with regard to its effects on fruit extractability and concentration of phenolic compounds in elaborated juice and wine. The results indicated that, under certain conditions, ultrasound could lead to a significant increase in the anthocyanin concentration in ‘Isabella’ grapes and its juice. On the other hand, in ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grapes, most of the treatments did not indicate positive results in the tested parameters and tended to promote degradation of anthocyanins at significant levels. However, the observed effects varied depending on the harvest conditions and cultivar characteristics.