Nutraceutical Compound Concentrations of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia Michx) Grape Cultivars and Breeding Lines

Authors: Stringer, Stephen; Perkins Veazie, Penelope; Shaw, Donna

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/22/2007
Publication Date: 8/3/2009
Citation: Stringer, S.J., Perkins Veazie, P.M., Marshall, D.A. Nutraceutical Compound Concentrations of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia Michx) Grape Cultivars and Breeding Lines. Acta Horticulturae 841:553-556. 2009.

Interpretive Summary: Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has been linked both anecdotally and clinically to the prevention or alleviation of chronic diseases, and provides essential nourishment to mankind. The muscadine grape, a fruit indigenous to the southeastern U.S., contains several phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants and also other compounds, such as resveratrol, that can perform as a chemopreventative. The concentrations of these compounds present in the muscadine grape equal or exceed that known for other small fruit. Fruit of selected muscadine grape genotypes, including breeding lines and cultivars, were evaluated over a 2-year period to assess the existing genetic base for these nutraceutical compounds. Results demonstrated that concentrations of anthocyanins, total phenolics, ellagic acid, and resveratrol differ significantly among cultivars and breeding lines. These results can be used by plant/fruit breeders to increased concentrations of the health-promoting compounds in muscadine grapes. This will in turn benefit the consumer.

Technical Abstract: Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has been linked both anecdotally and clinically to the prevention or alleviation of chronic diseases, and provides essential nourishment to mankind. The muscadine grape, a fruit indigenous to the southeastern U.S., contains several phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants and also other compounds, such as resveratrol, that can perform as a chemopreventative. The concentrations of these compounds present in the muscadine grape equal or exceed that known for other small fruit. Fruit of selected muscadine grape genotypes, including breeding lines and cultivars, were evaluated over a 2-year period to assess the existing genetic base for these nutraceutical compounds. Results demonstrated that concentrations of anthocyanins, total phenolics, ellagic acid, and resveratrol differ significantly among cultivars and breeding lines. These results suggest a possibility to breed for increased concentrations of the health-promoting compounds in muscadine grapes.