INTERNATIONAL 8th USBİLİM HEALTH, ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES CONGRESS
PHYTOCHEMICALS IN GRAPE VARIETIES
Yayıncı:
Akademik Paylaşım Platformu Publishing House - APP Publications
Grapes are a fruit species with high phytochemical content, consumed both fresh and after processing into products like wine, grape juice, molasses, grape paste, and grape sausage in our country. Phytochemicals are chemical compounds that naturally occur in plants and support biological functions such as growth, development, and protection against environmental stress factors. The term is derived from the Greek root "phyto-" meaning "plant," and phytochemicals are generally defined as plant-based chemicals. Scientifically, phytochemicals are classified as secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites are compounds that are not directly necessary for the survival of the plant but enhance its ability to adapt to environmental stress, improve its defense mechanisms, and increase its competitive ability. Phytochemicals are divided into various subgroups, including polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, glucosinolates, and organosulfur compounds, each of which varies according to the type and variety of the plant. Grape varieties show significant differences in terms of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other polyphenols they contain. According to recent studies, red grape varieties are notable for their high resveratrol and flavonoid content, while black grape varieties are reported to be particularly rich in anthocyanins. Although green grape varieties have lower polyphenol content, they contain high amounts of phenolic acids and tannins. Phytochemicals are part of the natural defense and adaptation mechanisms of grape varieties. Thanks to the phytochemical diversity among varieties, grapes are known to have many potential effects on human health, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. This paper aims to explain the characteristics of phytochemicals present in grape varieties cultivated worldwide.
