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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Postharvest induction modeling method using UV irradiation pulses for obtaining resveratrol-enriched table grapes: a new "functional" fruit?

A modeling method for the induction of resveratrol synthesis by UV irradiation pulses in Napoleon table grapes is proposed. The method is based on the combination of four main parameters: irradiation power (IW), irradiation time (IT), irradiation distance (ID), and number of elapsed days to achieve the highest resveratrol accumulation (D(m)). Maximum resveratrol content (11-fold higher than untreated grapes) was achieved using the combination: IW = 510 W, IT = 30 s, ID = 40 cm, and D(m) = 3 days. Sensory characteristics and main features of irradiated grapes (color, weight, firmness, flavor, size, ripening index and vitamin C content) remained unaltered after 1 week of storage. UV induction signal migrated to the hidden side of the grape skin with a delay of 3 days as compared to the directly irradiated side. Phenolic compounds were not detected in Napoleon grape flesh. Resveratrol content per standard serving (200 g) of irradiated grape was about 3 mg, an amount more than 10-fold higher than that of untreated Napoleon grapes. This means that a serving of irradiated grape (unpeeled) could supply the resveratrol content equivalent to 3 glasses of a red wine with high resveratrol content ( approximately 1 mg/glass). Therefore, controlled UV irradiation pulses are useful as a simple postharvest treatment (and alternative to genetic engineering) to obtain possible "functional" grapes (with enhanced health-promoting properties) as a dietary source of high resveratrol content.

Anthocyanins↗
PubMed2004

Major flavonoids in grape seeds and skins: antioxidant capacity of catechin, epicatechin, and gallic acid.

Grape seeds and skins are good sources of phytochemicals such as gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin and are suitable raw materials for the production of antioxidative dietary supplements. The differences in levels of the major monomeric flavanols and phenolic acids in seeds and skins from grapes of Vitis vinifera varieties Merlot and Chardonnay and in seeds from grapes of Vitis rotundifolia variety Muscadine were determined, and the antioxidant activities of these components were assessed. The contribution of the major monomeric flavonols and phenolic acid to the total antioxidant capacity of grape seeds and skins was also determined. Gallic acid, monomeric catechin, and epicatechin concentrations were 99, 12, and 96 mg/100 g of dry matter (dm) in Muscadine seeds, 15, 358, and 421 mg/100 g of dm in Chardonnay seeds, and 10, 127, and 115 mg/100 g of dm in Merlot seeds, respectively. Concentrations of these three compounds were lower in winery byproduct grape skins than in seeds. These three major phenolic constituents of grape seeds contributed <26% to the antioxidant capacity measured as ORAC on the basis of the corrected concentrations of gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin in grape byproducts. Peroxyl radical scavenging activities of phenolics present in grape seeds or skins in decreasing order were resveratrol > catechin > epicatechin = gallocatechin > gallic acid = ellagic acid. The results indicated that dimeric, trimeric, oligomeric, or polymeric procyanidins account for most of the superior antioxidant capacity of grape seeds.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2005

Residues of spiroxamine in grapes following field application and their fate from vine to wine.

Dissipation of the fungicide spiroxamine in grapes of two vine varieties, Roditis and Cabernet Sauvignon, exposed to field treatments was evaluated. Vines of a grape vineyard located in central Greece were sprayed once or twice with a commercial formulation of the fungicide at 30 g a.i./hL. Residues in grapes, must, and wine were determined by gas chromatography/IT-MS after extraction with cyclohexane-dichloromethane (9:1), with a limit of quantitation 0.02 mg/kg in grapes and 0.012 mg/kg in wine. Under field conditions, spiroxamine dissipation on grapes was faster during the first 2 weeks and then slower to the sixth week. About 7 days after application, half of the initial spiroxamine concentration remained on the grapes; the respective proportion at 42 days was about 10%. At 14 and 35 days, residues were lower than 0.44 and 0.22 mg/kg, respectively, values below the maximum residue levels set by the European Union (1 mg/kg). Spiroxamine residues transferred from grapes into the must and through the vinification process into the wine were also studied. Mean transfer factors of 0.26 and 0.55 were found from grapes into wine for the wines obtained without maceration and with maceration, respectively. Residues in wine, prepared from grapes with a spiroxamine content of 0.11-0.20 mg/kg, varied from <0.026 to 0.09 mg/kg. Spiroxamine diastereomer B was found to dissipate slower than diastereomer A in the field as well as during the vinification process.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2006

Comparison of cardioprotective abilities between the flesh and skin of grapes.

Recent studies have documented that grapes and grape juices are equally cardioprotective as red wine. The existing reports implicate that the skin and seeds of the grapes containing polyphenolic antioxidants are instrumental for the cardioprotective properties of grapes. The present study examines if the flesh of grapes also possesses any cardioprotective abilities. Three groups of randomly selected rats were fed, water only (control), flesh of the grapes (2.5 mg/kg b. wt.) or the skins (2.5 mg/kg b. wt.) for 30 days. At the end of the 30 days, isolated perfused hearts were made ischemic for 30 min followed by 2 h of reperfusion in the working mode. The results demonstrated that both flesh and skin of the grapes could protect the hearts from ischemic reperfusion injury as evidenced by improved postischemic ventricular recovery and reduced myocardial infarct size. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that skin and flesh contained comparative amounts of glucose, fructose, tartaric acid, malic acid, shikimic acid, and trans-caftaric acid. In addition, the flesh contained reduced amounts (compared to skin) of cis-coutaric, trans-coutaric, caffeic, p-coumaric, cinnamics, and catechin/epicatechin. Total polyphenolic index was also lower in flesh compared to skin. The anthocyanins were present exclusively in the skin. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry of hydroxy radicals indicated that both flesh and skins possessed equal amount of ROS scavenging activities. Total malonaldehyde content in the heart was reduced comparatively with either flesh or skin. The results indicate for the first time that the flesh of grapes are equally cardioprotective as skin, and antioxidant potential of skin and flesh of grapes are comparable with each other despite of the fact that flesh does not possess any anthocyanin activities.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Genealogy of wine grape cultivars: "Pinot" is related to "Syrah".

Since the domestication of wild grapes ca 6000 years ago, numerous cultivars have been generated by spontaneous or deliberate crosses, and up to 10 000 are still in existence today. Just as in human paternity analysis, DNA typing can reveal unexpected parentage of grape cultivars. In this study, we have analysed 89 grape cultivars with 60 microsatellite markers in order to accurately calculate the identity-by-descent (IBD) and relatedness (r) coefficients among six putatively related cultivars from France ("Pinot", "Syrah" and "Dureza") and northern Italy ("Teroldego", "Lagrein" and "Marzemino"). Using a recently developed likelihood-based approach to analyse kinship in grapes, we provide the first evidence of a genetic link between grapes across the Alps: "Dureza" and "Teroldego" turn out to be full-siblings (FS). For the first time in grapevine genetics we were able to detect FS without knowing one of the parents and identify unexpected second-degree relatives. We reconstructed the most likely pedigree that revealed a third-degree relationship between the worldwide-cultivated "Pinot" from Burgundy and "Syrah" from the Rhone Valley. Our finding was totally unsuspected by classical ampelography and it challenges the commonly assumed independent origins of these grape cultivars. Our results and this new approach in grape genetics will (a) help grape breeders to avoid choosing closely related varieties for new crosses, (b) provide pedigrees of cultivars in order to detect inheritance of disease-resistance genes and (c) open the way for future discoveries of first- and second-degree relationships between grape cultivars in order to better understand viticultural migrations.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Identification of grape and wine allergens as an endochitinase 4, a lipid-transfer protein, and a thaumatin.

BACKGROUND: Few allergic reactions to grape are reported in the literature. In some cases an association with peach and cherry allergy was observed. No IgE-mediated reactions to wine have been described, and no grape major allergens have yet been identified. OBJECTIVE: We describe several severe reactions to grape or wine. We characterized the grape major allergens and tried to identify the allergen in wine. METHODS: We collected documented histories of allergic reactions to grape and wine. Grape allergens were identified by means of SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting and purified by means of HPLC. Using amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry, we identified the family of proteins to which the allergens belong. Cross-reactivity with peach and cherry was evaluated by means of cross-wise inhibition experiments. RESULTS: Eleven patients with reactions to grape and 3 with anaphylactic reactions to wine were recruited. The major allergens were an endochitinase 4A and a lipid-transfer protein (LTP) that was homologous to and cross-reactive with peach LTP. A 24-kd protein homologous to the cherry thaumatin-like allergen was a minor allergen. Endochitinase 4A is very likely the allergen in vino novello and in vino Fragolino. CONCLUSIONS: Grape and wine might cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive patients. The major allergens of grape are endochitinase 4A, which is also the allergen of wine, and an LTP cross-reacting with the peach major allergen.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ochratoxin A: an improvement clean-up and HPLC method used to investigate wine and grape juice on the Polish market.

A routine method appropriate for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in wine, grape juice and grape juice drinks was described, and the occurrence of the mycotoxin was investigated in the most popular red wines, grape juice and grape juice drinks available on the Polish market. After clean-up on immunoaffinity column, samples were analysed by RP-HPLC using a fluorescence detector at 330 and 460 nm. The average OTA recoveries from spiked blank wine samples varied from 60 to 82%, and RSD% ranged from 5 to 14%. The OTA recovery for spiked grape juice and grape juice drinks were 80-100%, but the RSD% was between 7 and 10%. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation for all sample types were 0.5 and 2.0 ng l(-1), respectively. Fifty-three samples of red wine and seven samples of grape juice and grape drinks were assessed by means of this analytical procedure. OTA was detected in most wine samples (92%); its concentrations ranged from 2.2 to 6710 ng l(-1). In all grape juice and drink samples, OTA levels ranged from 1.6 to 64.7 ng l(-1).

Beverages↗
PubMed2003

Grape polyphenols decrease plasma triglycerides and cholesterol accumulation in the aorta of ovariectomized guinea pigs.

Female ovariectomized guinea pigs, a model for menopausal women, were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 10 g/100 g of a lyophilized grape preparation for 12 wk. The macronutrient composition of the grape preparation was: simple carbohydrates, 90 g/100 g; protein, 4 g/100 g; and dietary fiber, 6 g/100 g. Control and grape diets had the same composition except for the percentage of macronutrients provided by the grape preparation. Polyphenols were present in the grape preparation at 0.58 g/100 g and included flavans, anthocyanins, quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol and resveratrol. Dietary cholesterol was 0.33 g/100 g to raise plasma cholesterol concentrations and ensure the development of atherosclerosis. Plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations did not differ between groups, whereas plasma triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol were 39 and 50% lower, respectively in guinea pigs fed the grape diet compared with controls (P < 0.05). Significant modifications in LDL particles included 58 and 30% lower triglycerides and phospholipids, respectively (P < 0.0001). Hepatic acyl CoA:cholesteryl acyltransferase activity was 27% lower (P < 0.05) in the grape diet-fed group compared with controls. In addition, concentrations of cholesterol in the aorta were 33% lower (P < 0.05) in guinea pigs fed the grape diet. These results suggest that grape intake in ovariectomized guinea pigs alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism, which may affect VLDL secretion rates and result in less accumulation of cholesterol in the aorta.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Survival of inoculated Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain on wine grapes during two vintages.

AIMS: To investigate the influence of a specific ecological niche, the wine grape, on the survival and development of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. METHODS AND RESULTS: A strain with a rare phenotype was sprayed onto the grape surfaces and monitored through two vintages using a specific indicative medium and analysing the internal transcribed spacer regions in the 5.8S rDNA. During the ripening process, there was a progressive colonization of the surface of the undamaged and damaged grapes by epiphytic yeasts, up to the time of harvest. The damaged wine grapes showed a much greater epiphytic yeast population. However, the inoculated S. cerevisiae strain showed a scarce persistence on both undamaged and damaged wine grapes, and the damaged grapes did not appear to improve the grape surface colonization of this strain. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that wine grape is not a favourable ecological niche for the development and colonization of S. cerevisiae species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Results of this work are further evidence that S. cerevisiae is not specifically associated with natural environments such as damaged and undamaged wine grapes.

DNA, Ribosomal Spacer↗
PubMed2004

Asymptomatic sensitisation to grapes in a sample of workers in the wine industry.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of sensitisation to grapes (Vitis vinifera var. agiorghitiko) in a population with repeated exposure to grape allergens through direct cutaneous contact as well as through the gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: One hundred and twenty subjects were enrolled in each of four groups: grape harvesters, winery workers in selection of grapes, winery workers operating de-stemming/crushing/pressing machines, and administrative personnel. Sensitisation to grapes was examined by skin prick-to-prick tests with fresh fruit and juice. RESULTS: Eight harvesters and five workers in grape selection had positive reaction to the grapes tested. No machine operators or administrative personnel had positive tests. The likelihood of sensitisation was estimated at 3.7% per year of occupation by logistic regression analysis. None of the employees reported symptoms associated with sensitisation to grapes. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic sensitisation to grapes was detected only in workers handling the fruit, suggesting that sensitisation is more likely to occur through cutaneous exposure and/or minor wounding than through the gastrointestinal tract. Prevalence rates were high and the clinical impact needs to be further investigated.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Purple grape juice improves endothelial function and reduces the susceptibility of LDL cholesterol to oxidation in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: In vitro, the flavonoid components of red wine and purple grape juice are powerful antioxidants that induce endothelium-dependent vasodilation of vascular rings derived from rat aortas and human coronary arteries. Although improved endothelial function and inhibition of LDL oxidation may be potential mechanisms by which red wine and flavonoids reduce cardiovascular risk, the in vivo effects of grape products on endothelial function and LDL oxidation have not been investigated. This study assessed the effects of ingesting purple grape juice on endothelial function and LDL susceptibility to oxidation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen adults with angiographically documented CAD ingested 7.7+/-1.2 mL. kg(-1). d(-1) of purple grape juice for 14 days. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was measured using high-resolution brachial artery ultrasonography. Susceptibility of LDL particles to oxidation was determined from the rate of conjugated diene formation after exposure to copper chloride. At baseline, FMD was impaired (2.2+/-2. 9%). After ingestion of grape juice, FMD increased to 6.4+/-4.7% (P=0.003). In a linear regression model that included age, artery diameter, lipid values, and use of lipid-lowering and antioxidant therapies, the effect of grape juice on FMD remained significant (mean change 4.2+/-4.4%, P<0.001). After ingestion of grape juice, lag time increased by 34.5% (P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term ingestion of purple grape juice improves FMD and reduces LDL susceptibility to oxidation in CAD patients. Improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation and prevention of LDL oxidation are potential mechanisms by which flavonoids in purple grape products may prevent cardiovascular events, independent of alcohol content.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Grape anaphylaxis.

Grape allergy is particularly rare in spite of the vast extension of Vitis vinifera cultivation on all continents. We report on the case of a 28-year-old woman who presented with allergic systemic reaction after eating white grapes (Vitis vinifera). She complained of two severe episodes of anaphylaxis after eating grapes, with generalized pruritus, acute generalized urticaria, facial swelling, lip and oropharingeal angioedema, and dysphagia. Both the episodes were treated at the Emergency Room level, with parenteral administration of corticosteroids and antihistamines. Skin prick tests with commercial extract of grapes provided a negative result, while prick by prick procedure performed with white grapes and white grape juice yielded a positive result. Grape-specific serum IgE were also detected. We conclude that in the diagnosis of grape allergy the currently available commercial extracts might not be completely reliable and the prick-by-prick procedure with fresh grapes should always be performed.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2002

Resistance gene analogs are candidate markers for disease-resistance genes in grape ( Vitis spp.).

A set of NBS-containing sequences was isolated from genomic DNA of two grape species ( Vitis amurensis and Vitis riparia) and characterised in a panel of Vitis genotypes carrying different levels of resistance against downy mildew and other diseases. A PCR-mediated approach made use of degenerate primers designed on conserved regions encoding known R-genes, and provided the source for cloning grape analogous sequences. Cloned sequences were digested with ten endonucleases and 29 out of 71 putative recombinant clones, which showed unique restriction patterns, were sequenced. Using a threshold value of 40% identity, at least 12 grape NBS-sequences had a high overall similarity with known R-genes, such as the Arabidopsis gene RPS5 and the tobacco gene N. The presence of internal conserved motifs provided evidence that sequences isolated from grape may belong to the NBS-LRR gene family. A cluster analysis based on the deduced amino acid sequence and carried out on grape NBS-sequences, together with several analogous domains of known R-genes, classified grape sequences into three major groups. A grape sequence of each group was used as a probe on Southern blots with digested genomic DNA from resistant and susceptible grapes. One of the NBS-containing probes showed a clear-cut separation between resistant species and susceptible varieties. This evidence makes the probe a candidate marker for disease resistance genes in Vitis germplasm.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Wines and grape juices as modulators of platelet aggregation in healthy human subjects.

To test the hypothesis that red wine, by virtue of its relatively high concentration of polyphenols, is more protective against atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) than white wine, and that grape juice enriched in one of these, trans-resveratrol, may share some of these properties, studies were performed on 24 healthy males aged 26-45 years. Each consumed the following beverages for periods of 4 weeks: red wine, white wine, commercial grape juice and the same grape juice enriched with trans-resveratrol. Apart from the last beverage, 2 weeks abstinence was maintained before commencing the schedule. Blood was taken at the beginning and end of each schedule to determine plasma thromboxane B2 (TxB2) concentration and the IC50 (concentration required for 50% aggregation) for ADP and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. White wine (P < 0.05) but not red wine increased the IC50 for ADP. Both wines increased the IC50 for thrombin (P < 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively) and also lowered plasma TxB2 concentrations (P < 0.01 and P < 0.025, respectively). Neither grape juice altered ADP-induced aggregation or TxB2 concentrations, but the commercial juice lowered the IC50 for thrombin (P < 0.001) whereas the resveratrol-enriched juice caused a dramatic increase (P < 0.001). In vitro experiments demonstrated that the aggregation of fresh washed human platelets by ADP and thrombin was moderately reduced by both grape juices, strongly by red wine and not at all by white wine. The synthesis of TxB2 by platelets from labelled arachidonate was stimulated by commercial grape juice, slightly enhanced by resveratrol-enriched juice and strongly inhibited by red wine with white wine having little effect. Platelets from subjects consuming the commercial juice had a higher ratio of cyclo-oxygenase to lipoxygenase product formation and those consuming the resveratrol-enriched juice a lower ratio than during the control period. We conclude that trans-resveratrol can be absorbed from grape juice in biologically active quantities and in amounts that are likely to cause reduction in the risk of atherosclerosis. The failure of red wines (which have a 20-fold excess of polyphenols over white wines) to show any advantage suggests that, in vivo, ethanol is the dominant anti-aggregatory component in these beverages which are more potent than grape juices in preventing platelet aggregation in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Occurrence and significance of Bacillus thuringiensis on wine grapes.

Wine grapes harvested at different stages during cultivation from several vineyards in New South Wales, Australia, harboured Bacillus thuringiensis at viable populations of 10(2)-10(6) cfu/g. Commercial preparations of B. thuringiensis had been sprayed onto the grapes as a biological insecticide. B. thuringiensis (10(1)-10(3) cfu/ml) was isolated from grape juice and fermenting grape juice in a commercial winery. Although B. thuringiensis remained viable when inoculated at 10(3)-10(4) cfu/ml into grape juice and wine (pH 3.0-6.0), it did not grow. Using in vitro agar culture assays, B. thuringiensis inhibited several grape-associated yeasts and bacteria as well as various species of fungi associated with grape spoilage and ochratoxin A production. B. thuringiensis did not inhibit Saccharomyces cerevisiae in agar culture or during alcoholic fermentation of grape juice. B. thuringiensis inhibited the malolactic bacterium, Oenococcus oeni, in agar culture but not during mixed cultures in a liquid medium.

Antibiosis↗
PubMed2006

Development of a quantitative real-time PCR assay for the detection of Aspergillus carbonarius in grapes.

Aspergillus carbonarius is the main species responsible for the production of ochratoxin A (OTA) in wine grapes. To monitor and quantify A. carbonarious in grapes, a quantitative real-time PCR assay was developed as a possible tool for predicting the potential ochratoxigenic risk. DNA extraction from grape berries was performed by using conventional extraction and clean up through EZNA Hi-bond spin columns. A TaqMan probe was used to quantify A. carbonarius genomic DNA in grape berries samples. An exogenous internal positive control was used to overcome DNA recovery losses due to matrix inhibition. The quantification of fungal genomic DNA in naturally contaminated grape was performed using the TaqMan signal versus spectrophotometrically measured DNA quantities (Log10) calibration curve with a linearity range from 50 to 5 x 10(-4) ng of DNA. A positive correlation (R2=0.92) was found between A. carbonarious DNA content and OTA concentration in naturally contaminated grape samples. This is the first application of TaqMan real-time PCR for identifying and quantifying A. carbonarius genomic DNA occurring in grapes. The rapid DNA extraction method for grapes, together with the commercial availability of reagents and instrumentation, allows to perform a remarkable number of reproducible assays (96-well format) in less than 4 h.

Aspergillus↗
PubMed2005

Effects of cyclosporine on oxidant/antioxidant status in rat ovary tissues: protective role of black grape extract.

OBJECTIVES: It has been demonstrated that immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) increases the synthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation products in vitro and in vivo studies, but its possible toxic effects in ovary tissue have not been defined yet. This study was designed to elucidate possible relation between CsA treatment and oxidant/antioxidant status in rat ovary tissue and, to determine if antioxidant supplementation is beneficial. METHODS: CsA and black grape extracts were given to rats orally for 10 days. In each group (control, CsA, CsA plus black grape and black grape alone), there were 7 animals (28 rats in total). After the animals were sacrificed, their ovaries were removed to be used in the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) level and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and xanthine oxidase (XO) enzymes. RESULTS: In the control, CsA plus black grape and black grape alone groups, MDA levels were significantly lower than CsA group. Xanthine oxidase activities were significantly higher in CsA and CsA plus black grape groups than control group. In addition, XO activity was significantly lower in black grape alone group than all the other groups including control group. There were no significant differences in the activities of SOD and CAT enzymes between the groups. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that CsA leads to oxidant stress and peroxidation in rat ovary tissues mainly due to increased XO activity. It has been suggested that this oxidant stress and peroxidation reactions can be prevented by antioxidant food supplementation like black grape.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Bioaerosol formation during grape stemming and crushing.

Indoor formation of airborne particles during pre-fermentation grape processing was assessed by particle counting using laser particle sizers. Particle numbers of four different aerodynamic size classes (0.3 to 0.5 microm, 0.5 to 1 microm, 1 to 5 microm, and >5 microm) were determined during unloading of harvest containers and subsequent grape stemming and crushing. Regarding these size classes, composition before grape handling was determined as 87.9%, 10.4%, 1.7%, and 0.1%, respectively, whereas the composition changed during grape handling to 50.4%, 15.2%, 33.0%, and 1.5%, respectively. Airborne bacteria and fungi originating from grape processing were collected by impactor and liquid impinger samplers. Grape handling resulted in a sixfold increase in total (biological and non-biological) airborne particles. The generation of bacterial and fungal aerosols was associated mostly with particles of aerodynamic diameters>5 microm (mainly 7 to 11 microm) as determined by flow cytometry. This fraction was increased 150fold in relation to background levels before grape crushing. Maximum concentrations of culturable bacteria reached 485,000 colony forming units (cfu/m3), whereas 146,000 cfu of fungi and yeasts were detected per cubic meter of air. Culturable Gram-negative bacteria occurred only in small numbers (180 cfu/m3). In relation to the total number of airborne particles emitted, culturable microorganisms comprised 0.1% to 0.2%. As soon as grape crushing was stopped, particle concentrations decreased rapidly either due to passive settling or due to air currents in the occupational indoor environment reaching background levels.

Aerosols↗