September 29/Maharashtra, India/Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- According to recent research from Pune, India, "Grape varieties differ markedly in the range of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity showing health promoting activities like cardio protective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory actions. Considering the huge biodiversity of grape varieties and their immense functional attributes, Agharkar Research Institute has developed few hybrid varieties. suitable for Indian conditions being drought resistant, disease resistant and having pleasant color and taste."

"This study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidant activity of 14 hybrid grape varieties (designated as V5-V18) with respect to four established American 'juice grape' varieties cultivated in India (V1-vitis labrusca, V2-vitis labrusca, V3-Vitis champini and V9-vitis labrusca). Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, ferrous iron chelation activity, vitamin C and polyphenol contents were found to be higher in fresh samples of V7 and V10, than those of V1, V2, V3 and V9. In particular,V10 contained the highest phenolics (1360 mg Gallic acid equivalent per 100g); TEAC(2373 mM Trolox equivalent/100 g of fresh weight); ferrous iron chelation activity 0407 mM EDTA equivalent /100 g) and vitamin C (29.2 mg/ 100g)," wrote S.S. Gite and colleagues.

The researchers concluded, "This study demonstrates that grape hybrids Wand V 10 are potential sources of nutraceutical phenolics and can thus be utilized as functional finds."

Gite and colleagues published their study in Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research ("Antioxidant Activity of Parent 'Juice Grape' Varieties and Their Hybrids." Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research, 2010;8(2-3):89-94).

For additional information, contact V.V. Agte, Agharkar Research Institute, GG Agarkar Rd., Pune 411004, Maharashtra, India.

From the October 18, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition