Effect of grape variety on the evolution of sugars, hydroxymethylfurfural, polyphenols and antioxidant activity during grape must cooking

Grape must cooking is a traditional practice used for the production of foodstuff worldwide such as traditional balsamic vinegar. The aim of the present work was to reveal the effect of grape variety on the evolution of the main chemical components in grape must during cooking. On this purpose, two grape must varieties (red Lambrusco and white Trebbiano grapes) were cooked and analyzed. The monosaccharides concentration decreased because cooking resulting in the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. At the end of cooking, the antioxidant activity and polyphenols concentration was higher and the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural was lower in Lambrusco than in Trebbiano must. Additional changes involved degradation of monomeric anthocyanins resulting in the formation of the corresponding phenolic acids. From a health point of view, the high antioxidant activity and polyphenols concentration and the low 5-hydroxymethylfurfural concentration make cooked red Lambrusco must a safer raw starting material for making traditional balsamic vinegar.