Background/aim: The winemaking procedure results in the generation of stems, a by-product that is harmful to the environment. Concomitantly, stems are rich in polyphenols and, hence, they are putatively beneficial for human health.
Materials and methods: In this study, the grape stem extracts derived from three native Greek vine varieties, namely Mavrodaphne, Muscat and Rhoditis were examined for their chemical composition and antioxidant and antimutagenic properties using a battery of in vitro biomarkers.
Results: All extracts are rich in polyphenols. Moreover, they exhibit potent antioxidant and antimutagenic properties with the extract of Mavrodaphne being the strongest in reducing the DPPH• and O2 -• radicals and the Fe3+ and in protecting plasmid DNA from peroxyl radical-induced oxidative modification.
Conclusion: Therefore, although they are serious pollutants, grape stems contain phytochemicals with important biological properties and can be used as (ingredients of) bio-functional foods to improve certain aspects of human health.
Keywords: Grape stem extracts; Greek vine varieties; antimutagenic properties; antioxidants; bio-functional foods; polyphenols.
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