Orientadores: Helena Teixeira Godoy, Carlos Eugenio Daudt / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T11:15:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Facco_ElizeteMariaPesamosca_D.pdf: 27687746 bytes, checksum: d51d71b95043f23c20948f904cbac415 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Doutorado / Doutor em Ciência de Alimentos

Orientador: Lauro Tatsuo Kubota / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T13:05:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luz_RitadeCassiaSilva_D.pdf: 824556 bytes, checksum: 44fa44dc39ee4ef1973fbd79f8c3e5ba (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Neste trabalho é descrito o desenvolvimento de sensores eletroquímicos à base de compostos com TCNX (tetracianoetileno e tetracianoquinodimetano) para a determinação de compostos fenólicos. Para este propósito foram preparados eletrodos de carbono vítreo modificados com tetracianoetileneto de lítio (LiTCNE) e bis(tetracianoquinodimetaneto) de bis(fenantrolina) de cobre (lI) [Cu(phen)2(TCNQ)2], ambos imobilizados em filmes de poli-l-lisina (PLL). Após esta etapa, o eletrodo modificado com LiTCNE/PLL foi testado para verificar a capacidade de eletrocatálise da reação de redução de p-nitrofenol enquanto que o eletrodo modificado com Cu(phen)2(TCNQ)2/PLL foi utilizado para a oxidação de catecol. As técnicas utilizadas para a realização deste trabalho foram a voltametria cíclica, voltametria de varredura linear, amperometria, voltametria de pulso diferencial e voltametria de onda quadrada, as quais foram utilizadas para estudar o comportamento dos eletrodos modificados, para a otimização dos parâmetros experimentais, obtenção dos parâmetros cinéticos e caracterização analítica dos sensores. Os hidrodinâmicos foram realizados com o objetivo de obter maiores informações sobre os processos de redução e oxidação de p-nitrofenol e catecol, respectivamente, sobre os eletrodos modificados. Através do gráfico de Koutech-Levich foi possível obter os valores para o coeficiente de difusão e constante de velocidade da reação (k) para os analitos em estudo. Os valores do coeficiente de difusão e de k, determinados para o p-nitrofenol, foram de 9,03 x 10 cm s e 1,65 x 10 mol L s, enquanto que para o catecol, os valores do coeficiente de difusão e de k, foram de 4,6 x 10 cm s e 1,3 x 10 mol L s, respectivamente. O aumento na velocidade de reação, tanto para o p-nitrofenol como para o catecol, foi atribuído à eficiente transferência eletrônica entre as espécies estudadas e os compostos eletroativos imobilizados nas superficies dos eletrodos de carbono vítreo. O eletrodo modificado com filme de LiTCNE/PLL apresentou uma ampla faixa de resposta linear, sensibilidade, limite de detecção e quantificação de 0,001 a 5 mmol L, 42,90 mA cm L mmol, 0,3 e 1,0 nmol L (n= 10), respectivamente, para o de p-nitrofenol, enquanto que o eletrodo modificado com Cu(phen)2(TCNQ)2/PLL apresentou uma faixa de resposta linear, sensibilidade, limite de detecção e quantificação de 0,005 a 5 mmol L (n=8), 16,10 mA cm, 1,5 e 5,0 nmol L, para o catecol. Após a aplicação destes sensores em amostras de interesse, estudos de adição e recuperação dos analitos foram realizados para avaliar a exatidão dos métodos e verificou-se que em ambos os casos foi possível uma percentagem de recuperação entre 98,87 e 104,5% para o p-nitrofenol e 99,1 e 100,1 % para o catecol / Abstract: In this work is describing the development of electrochemical sensors based on TCNX (tetracyanoquinodimethane and tetracyanoethylene) for phenolics compound determination. For this purpose glass carbon electrodes were modified with lithium tetracyanoethylenide (LiTCNE) and bis (tetracyanoquinodimethanide) of bis (phenantroline) of copper (II) [Cu(phen)2(TCNQ)2], both immobilized at films of poly-l-lysine (PLL). After this step, the modified electrode with LiTCNE/PLL was tested to verify the electrocatalysis capacity of the reduction of p-nitrofenol and the electrode modified with Cu (phen)2(TCNQ)2/PLL for the catechol oxidation. The techniques used for the accomplishment of this work were the cyclic voltametry, linear sweep voltametry, amperometry, differential pulse voltametry, and square wave voltametry, which were used to study the behavior of the modified electrodes, for the experimental parameters optimization, for the attainment of the kinetic parameters and analytical characterization of the sensors. Hydrodynamic studies were carried out with the aim to get information on the reduction processes and oxidation of p-nitrofenol and catechol, respectively, on the modified electrodes. Through the Koutech-Levich plot it was possible to obtain the values for the diffusion coefficient (Do) and kinetic constant of the reaction (k) for the analyte in study. The values of the diffusion coefficient and k, determined for p-nitrofenol, were 9,03 x 10 cm s and 1,65 10 x mol L s, whereas for catechol, the values of Do and k were 4,6 x 10 cm s e 1,3 x 10 mol L s, respectively. The increase of the reaction rate for p-nitrofenol and catechol was attributed to the efficient electron transfer between the studied species and immobilized electroactives species on superface the glassy carbon electrodes surface. The electrode modified with LiTCNE/PLL presented a wide linear response range, as well as sensitivity, detection and quantification limit of 0,001 up to 5 mmol L, 42,90 mA cm L mmol, 0,3 and 1,0 nmol L (n=10) for the p-nitrophenol, whereas the electrode modified with [Cu(phen)2(TCNQ)2], presented a linear range, sensitivity, detection and quantification limit of 0,005 a 5 mmol L (n=8), 16,10 mA cm, 1,5 e 5,0 nmol L, respectively, for catechol. After the application of these sensors in samples of interest, studies of addition and recovery of the analytes were carried out to evaluate the error of the methods and was verified that in both the cases a recovery percentages between 98,8 and 104,5% for p-nitrofenol and, 99,1 e 100,1 % for catechol / Doutorado / Quimica Analitica / Doutora em Ciências

O pequi caracteriza-se por possuir expressiva quantidade de compostos fenólicos, que por apresentarem propriedades antioxidantes estão associados com a prevenção da formação de radicais livres. Além de ser consumido in natura, é também comumente consumido na forma processada. No entanto, sabe-se que os antioxidantes presentes nos vegetais podem ser afetados pela forma de processamento e provocam alterações dos teores de fenólicos totais (FT) bem como da sua atividade antioxidante. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o teor de FT e as propriedades antioxidantes da polpa do pequi processado e in natura. Foram obtidos os extratos alcoólicos (EALC) e aquosos (EAQ), a partir de amostras liofilizadas de diversas polpas de pequi processado (em conserva) e também do in natura, bem como as frações de ácidos fenólicos livres (AFL), ésteres solúveis de ácidos fenólicos (AFS) e ésteres insolúveis de ácidos fenólicos (AFI) de pequi processado (CB1). Os EALC e EAQ, além dos líquidos provenientes das conservas (LC), foram avaliados quanto aos teores de FT, onde se verificou que os EAQ do pequi in natura, principalmente, e do processado tiveram um maior conteúdo de FT quando comparados aos EALC. Os LC, por sua vez, apresentaram valores médios ainda maiores que os EAQ. Com relação ao teor de FT das frações, a AFL se destacou diante da AFS e AFI. Os extratos, LC e frações foram avaliados quanto à atividade antioxidante in vitro pelo sistema β-caroteno/ácido linoléico e também pelo ensaio do radical DPPH• (2,2 difenil-1-picril-hidrazila). No primeiro, verificou-se que os EAQ e LC do pequi apresentaram maior atividade que os EALC. Foi observada ainda atividade elevada em todas as frações analisadas. No segundo ensaio pelo método do radical DPPH•, pode-se observar que os extratos aquosos do pequi in natura apresentaram maior atividade, enquanto que, no pequi processado, os extratos alcoólicos e os líquidos das conservas tiveram melhores resultados. Verificou-se também que a AFL possui atividade superior às outras frações. De uma maneira geral, os resultados do pequi processado foram inferiores aos do pequi in natura tanto em relação aos teores de FT como na atividade antioxidante. Verificando-se ainda, que isto se deve principalmente à perda dos FT da polpa, indicando que houve lixiviação destes compostos para os LC. / Pequi characterized by having a significant amount of phenolic compounds, that are related with its antioxidant properties that are associated with the prevention of free radicals. Besides being eaten fresh, it is also widely consumed in processed form. However, it is known that the antioxidants present in plants can be affected by processing form and cause changes in the levels of total phenolic content (FT) and the antioxidant activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the content of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant properties of the pequi pulp processed and fresh. Were obtained the alcoholic (EALC) and aqueous (EAQ) extracts from lyophilized samples of various pulps pequi processed (canned) and also in nature, as well as the fractions of free phenolic acids (AFL), soluble esters of phenolic acids (AFS) and insoluble esters of phenolic acids (AFI) of processed pequi (CB1). The EALC and EAq, besides the liquid from the canned (LC) were evaluated for the levels of FT, where it was found that the EAQ of the pequi in nature, mainly, and of the processed had, in general, a higher content of FT compared to EALC. The LC, in turn have showed that even greater EAQ. Regarding the content of FT of the fractions, the AFL stood in front of the AFS and AFI. The extracts, LC and fractions were also evaluated for their antioxidant activity in vitro by the system β-caroteno/ linoleic acid and by test DPPH• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl). At first, it was found that the LC and EAQ of the pequi showed greater activity than the EALC. Still high activity was observed in all fractions analyzed. In the second test, we can observe that the EAQ of the pequi in nature showed greater activity, whereas in pequi processed, the EALC and LC had better results. It was also noted that the AFL has superior activity to other fractions. In general, the results of pequi processed were lower than in fresh pequi both in relation to content of FT as antioxidant activity. Verifying also, that this is mainly due to the loss of FT of the pulp, indicating that there was leaching of these compounds to the LC.

Antioxidant-rich plant foods can inhibit starch and lipid digestion that are relevant to the management of type-II diabetes. Our objective was to compare the three phenolic substances (total phenolic, total flavonoids, and condensed tannin content) in crude, semi-purified extracts from eight types of foods (purified by XAD-7 column), five fractions (semi-purified extracts fractionated by Sephadex LH-20 column) from black legumes, and to compare their antioxidant capacities. The IC50 values of these crude extracts, semi-purified extracts and fractions against alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase and lipase were measured. Results showed that Fraction V from black soybean had the lowest IC50 value (0.25 mg/mL) against alpha-amylase; Fraction V from black bean had the lowest IC50 value (0.25 micro gram/mL) against alpha-glucosidase; Fraction IV of black bean had the lowest IC50 value (76 micro gram/mL) against lipase; myricetin showed the lowest IC50 value against alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase and lipase.

Heritage apple cultivars for cider-making are often distinguished by a high concentration of tannins (phenolic compounds), and/or acid. The phenolic content of some cider apples far exceeds that of white wine, however most cider fermentation practices are directly taken from white winemaking, not accounting for effects of high concentrations of phenolic compounds on yeast fermentation. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and chlorogenic acid—at concentrations reported in apples—and their interactions with yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) on fermentation kinetics and cider aroma. Our hypothesis was that the phenolic compounds present in high-tannin cider apples would negatively impact fermentation kinetics, but not alter the aroma, and that added YAN would reduce these effects. Ferulic acid negatively affected fermentation performance (p < 0.05), but p-coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid did not. p-Coumaric acid led to the greatest changes in cider aroma. Differences were also detected for different concentrations of ferulic acid. Chlorogenic acid did not affect aroma. Yeast strain influenced fermentation performance and cider aroma. Finally, addition of exogenous YAN improved fermentation performance for the low concentration ferulic acid condition, but not for the high concentration. Adding YAN also changed cider aroma in the presence of p-coumaric acid. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Hard cider is increasingly popular in the United States. Heritage apple cultivars are traditional cider apples, often distinguished by a high concentration of tannins (phenolic compounds), and/or acid, unlike dessert apples that are typically higher in sugar than tannins. While the phenolic content of some cider apples far exceeds that of white wine, most cider fermentation practices are directly taken from white winemaking, and do not account for the effects of high concentrations of phenolic compounds on fermentation performance. The objective of this study was to determine whether three phenolic compounds—ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and chlorogenic acid—at concentrations reported in apples, would inhibit fermentation or alter the aroma of the cider, and if adding yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN), a yeast nutrient, would reduce these effects. Our hypotheses were that the phenolic compounds present in high-tannin cider apples would negatively impact fermentation performance, but not alter the aroma, and that added YAN would reduce these effects. Ferulic acid negatively affected fermentation performance (p < 0.05), but p-coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid did not. Addition of nitrogen improved fermentation performance for the low concentration ferulic acid condition, but not for the high concentration. p-Coumaric acid led to the greatest changes in cider aroma, with differences in aroma also detected for ferulic acid ciders. Chlorogenic acid did not affect aroma or fermentation performance. Yeast strain and YAN addition also influenced fermentation performance and aroma.

Yes / The photoperiod is the main environmental cue that drives seasonal adaptive responses in reproduction, behavior, and metabolism in seasonal animals. Increasing evidence suggests that (poly)phenols contained in fruits can also modulate seasonal rhythms. (Poly)phenol-rich diets are associated with an improvement in cognitive function and neuroprotection due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. However, it is unknown whether cherries affect neuroprotection in a photoperiod-dependent manner. To test this, F344 rats were exposed to L6 (6 h light/day), L12 (12 h light/day) and L18 (18 h light/day) photoperiods and fed a standard chow diet supplemented with either a control, lyophilized cherry 1 or cherry 2 with distinctive phenolic hallmarks. Physiological parameters (body weight, eating pattern index (EPI), testosterone, T4/T3) and hypothalamic key genes (Dio2, Dio3, Raldh1 and Ghrh) were strongly regulated by the photoperiod and/or fruit consumption. Importantly, we show for the first time that neurotrophs (Bdnf, Sod1 and Gpx1) in the hippocampus are also regulated by the photoperiod. Furthermore, the consumption of cherry 2, which was richer in total flavonols, but not cherry 1, which was richer in total anthocyanins and flavanols, enhanced neuroprotection in the hippocampus. Our results show that the seasonal consumption of cherry with a specific phenolic composition plays an important role in the hippocampal activation of neuroprotection in a photoperiod-dependent manner. / This work was supported by grant number PID2020-113739RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by Pect-Nutrisalt funded by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Commission through the Operative Program Erdf of Catalonia 2014–2020. The authors thank the British Society for Neuroendocrinology (BSN) for providing a research visit Grant to F.M (Grant number: BSN-2022-1452). F.M. is the recipient of a predoctoral fellowship from Universitat Rovira i Virgili—Martí i Franquès (Grant number: 2019PMF-PIPF-19).

Thesis (MSc Food Sc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rooibos tea, produced from the endemic South African fynbos plant Aspalathus linearis, has various healthpromoting benefits which can largely be attributed to its phenolic composition. In this study, the reversedphase liquid chromatographic (RP-LC) separation of the principal phenolic constituents of aqueous rooibos infusions was optimised on conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrumentation. The phenolic constituents comprised dihydrochalcones (aspalathin and nothofagin), flavones (orientin, isorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and chrysoeriol), flavonols (quercetin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside and rutin), a hydroxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid) and a phenylpropanoid (phenylpyruvic acid glucoside, PPAG). A systematic approach towards method development was adopted: resolution was optimised by simultaneous optimisation of gradient conditions and temperature on a sub-2 6m phase to exploit the benefits of this phase for fast routine analyses. The developed HPLC method, utilising photodiode-array (PDA) detection, yielded complete separation of the 15 target analytes on the 1.8 µm C18 column, thermostatted to 37°C, within 37 min (total analysis time: 50 min). The method was successfully validated and demonstrated its suitability for the fast, quantitative analysis of aqueous infusions of unfermented and fermented rooibos. Mass spectrometric (MS) and tandem MS detection confirmed peak purity and permitted the tentative identification of 13 additional phenolic compounds, including a flavonol Odiglycoside (quercetin-3-O-robinobioside), a luteolin-6-C-pentoside-8-C-hexoside and a novel C-8-hexosyl derivative of aspalathin reported here for the first time. The HPLC-PDA method was subsequently applied to a large number of fermented rooibos samples representative of different production seasons (2009, 2010 and 2011) and quality grades (grades A, B, C and D) to capture as much potential variation in the phenolic composition as possible. Production season had no clear effect on the levels of the individual phenolic compounds in ‘cup-of-tea’ rooibos infusions, whilst high quality tea (grades A and B) was associated with higher levels of phenolic compounds and soluble solids than low quality tea (grades C and D). Steam-pasteurisation of the plant material, required to obtain a product of high microbiological quality, induced significant reductions in the mean values of most of the phenolic compounds in rooibos infusions. The major phenolic constituents of steam-pasteurised, fermented rooibos were isoorientin and orientin, whilst quercetin-3-O-robinobioside, PPAG and aspalathin were also present in high concentrations. Representative content values of the major phenolic compounds present in a typical ‘cup-of-tea’ rooibos infusion were thus obtained and the generated data are suitable for inclusion in food composition databases. The application of comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LCxLC) was investigated as an alternative approach for the detailed investigation of rooibos phenolics. The combination of hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) in the first dimension and RP-LC in the second dimension offered different separation selectivities and hence a high degree of orthogonality. HILICxRP-LC provided a significant improvement in resolution, as is evident from practical peak capacities in excess of 2000 and 800 for the off-line and on-line methods, respectively. Further optimisation, particularly of the first dimension separation, is however required to improve the LCxLC separation of complex rooibos phenolic fractions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gebruik van rooibostee, berei vanaf die eg Suid-Afrikaanse fynbosplant Aspalathus linearis, hou verskeie gesondheidsvoordele in wat grootliks toegeskryf kan word aan sy fenoliese samestelling. Die skeiding van die hoof fenoliese verbindings van ’n koppie rooibos is in hierdie studie deur middel van omgekeerde-fase vloeistof chromatografie (RP-LC) op konvensionele hoë-druk vloeistof chromatografiese (HPLC) toerusting geoptimiseer. Die fenoliese verbindings was verteenwoordigend van dihidrogalkone (aspalatien en notofagien), flavone (orientien, isoorientien, viteksien, isoviteksien, luteolien, luteolien-7-O-glukosied en krisoeriol), flavonole (kwersetien, isokwersetrien, hiperosied en rutien), ‘n hidroksiekaneulsuur (ferulasuur) en ‘n fenielpropanoied (fenielpirodruiwesuurglukosied, PPAG). Die ontwikkeling van die metode was sistematies benader: resolusie is op ‘n geselekteerde 1.8 6m stationêre fase met welombekende kinetiese voordele geoptimiseer deur die gradiëntkondisies en kolomtemperatuur gelyktydig te optimiseer. Die ontwikkelde HPLC metode, gekoppel aan ultraviolet-fotodiode deteksie (PDA), het binne 37 min (totale analiese tyd: 50 min) volledige skeiding van die 15 standaard verbindings op die 1.8 µm C18 kolom teen 37°C bewerkstellig. Die metode is suksesvol gevalideer en het sy toepaslikheid vir vinnige, kwantitatiewe analiese van ongefermenteerde en gefermenteerde rooibos gedemonstreer. Piek suiwerheid is deur middel van massa spektrometrie (MS) en tandem MS bevestig, wat ook die identifikasie van 13 addisionele verbindings toegelaat het, insluitende ‘n flavonol O-diglukosied (kwersetien-3-O-robinobiosied), ‘n luteolien-6-Cpentosied- 8-C-heksosied en ‘n unieke C-8-heksosiel afgeleide van aspalatien wat vir die eerste keer hier gemeld is. Die geoptimiseerde HPLC-PDA metode is gevolglik toegepas vir die analiese van ‘n groot aantal gefermenteerde rooibos monsters, verteenwoordigend van verskillende produksie seisoene (2009, 2010 en 2011) en kwaliteitsgrade (A, B, C en D). Hierdie lukraak-geselekteerde monsters het soveel as moontlik potensiële variasie in die fenoliese samestelling verseker. Produksie seisoen het geen definitiewe effek op die vlakke van die individuele fenoliese verbindings in ’n koppie rooibos gehad nie, terwyl hoë kwaliteit rooibos (grade A en B) geassosieër was met hoër vlakke van die individuele fenoliese verbindings en oplosbare vastestowwe in vergelyking met lae kwaliteit rooibos (grade C en D). Stoompasteurisasie van rooibos plantmateriaal, noodsaaklik om ‘n produk van hoë mikrobiologiese gehalte te verseker, het gelei tot ‘n betekenisvolle afname in meeste fenoliese verbindings in ’n koppie rooibos. Die hoof fenoliese verbindings van ‘n koppie stoom-gepasteuriseerde, gefermenteerde rooibos was orientien en isoorientien, terwyl kwersetien-3-O-robinobiosied, PPAG en aspalatien ook in noemenswaardige hoeveelhede aanwesig was. Verteenwoordigende waardes van die hoof fenoliese verbindings aanwesig in ‘n tipiese koppie rooibos is derhalwe verkry en die data is geskik vir insluiting in voedsel-samestelling databasisse. Die analiese van rooibos fenole met omvattende twee-dimensionele vloeistof chromatografie (LCxLC) is bestudeer as ‘n alternatiewe metode om verdere insig tot hierdie komplekse fenoliese fraksie te verkry. Die kombinasie van hidrofiliese interaksie chromatografie (HILIC) in die eerste dimensie en RP-LC in die tweede dimensie het ‘n uiters gesogte lae graad van korrelasie verskaf. HILICxRP-LC het ‘n besonderse toename in resolusie teweeg gebring, gekenmerk deur praktiese piek kapasiteite hoër as 2000 en 800 vir die af-lyn en aan-lyn metodes, onderskeidelik. Verdere optimisering, veral van die eerste dimensie skeiding, is egter nodig om die LCxLC skeiding van rooibos fenole te verbeter.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Thompson Seedless and Regal Seedless are two white seedless table grape cultivars widely produced in South Africa. Both cultivars are susceptible to berry browning, especially Regal Seedless. Browning leads to annual financial losses for table grape growers. Although a correlation between harvest maturity and the occurrence of browning seems to exist, it is still unclear whether maturity levels are the actual contributing factor. The aim of the study was to establish if harvest maturity and crop load could influence the occurrence of browning of both cultivars. The impact of harvest maturity and crop load on phenolic compound concentration in the berry skin of both cultivars was also investigated. Total external browning of Regal Seedless and Thompson Seedless occurred in much higher percentages than internal browning. Regal Seedless showed a tendency to decreased total external browning with harvest maturity. The main reason for this is that net-like browning, which is the greatest contributor to total external browning, decreased with harvest maturity, in all three seasons. External browning of Thompson Seedless increased with harvest maturity in both seasons. Contact browning was the greatest contributor to total external browning of Thompson Seedless. Crop load did not significantly influence berry browning of Regal Seedless or Thompson Seedless grapes. The flavan-3-ol concentration (catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B1 and procyanidin B2) in Regal Seedless generally increased with harvest maturity, whereas in Thompson Seedless the general tendency was a decrease in the flavan-3-ol concentration with harvest maturity. The development of phenolic compound concentration with maturity could not be correlated with the occurrence of berry browning. Crop load did not affect flavan-3-ol concentration. When the flavan-3-ol concentration of Regal Seedless and Thompson Seedless were compared at different harvest maturities the concentrations of flavan-3-ols were clearly much higher in the skin of Regal Seedless than in the skin of Thompson Seedless (for both the 2008 & 2009 seasons). Comparison of the browning incidence with harvest maturity for these two cultivars (see above) clearly reveals that external browning of Regal Seedless occurred in much higher percentages than on Thompson Seedless. Regal Seedless had much higher levels of external browning than Thompson Seedless. The concentration of flavan-3-ols in the skin of white seedless cultivars may be an indication of the cultivar’s susceptibility to external browning. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Thompson Seedless en Regal Seedless is twee wit pitlose tafeldruif kultivars wat ekstensief in Suid-Afrika verbou word. Verbruining kan ‘n probleem wees by beide kultivars, spesifiek Regal Seedless. Die faktore wat aanleiding gee tot verbruining is nog nie duidelik bepaal nie. Alhoewel dit lyk of daar ‘n korrelasie tussen rypheidsgraad van die oes en verbruining kan wees is dit steeds onduidelik of oesrypheidsvlakke die werklike oorsaak van verbruining is. Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel of die rypheidsgraad van die oes en oeslading verbruining van beide kultivars kan beïnvloed. Die effek van oes rypheidsgraad en oeslading op konsentrasie van fenoliese verbindings in die korrelskil van beide kultivars is ook ondersoek. Totale eksterne verbruining van Regal Seedless en Thompson Seedless het in baie hoër persentasies voorgekom as interne verbruining. Daar was ‘n tendens by Regal Seedless dat totale eksterne verbruining verminder het soos die oes ryper geraak het as gevolg van netagtige verbruining, wat die grootste bydrae tot totale eksterne verbruining veroorsaak het. Netagtige verbruining se voorkoms het verminder oor al drie seisoene. Eksterne verbruining van Thompson Seedless het toegeneem met oes rypheid in beide seisoene. Kontak verbruining het grootste byrdae gelewer tot totale eksterne verbruining van Thompson Seedless. Oeslading het nie ‘n betekenisvolle invloed op verbruining van Regal Seedless en Thompson Seedless gehad nie. Die flavan-3-ol (katesjien, epikatesjien, prosianidien B1 en prosianidien B2) konsentrasie van Regal Seedless het met oes rypheid toegeneem. By Thompson Seedless was daar ‘n afname in die flavan-3-ol konsentrasie met oes rypheid. Daar was geen korrrelasie tussen die konsentrasie van fenoliese verbinding en die voorkoms van verbruining vir beide kultivars. Oeslading het nie ‘n betekenisvolle effek op die konsentrasie van fenoliese verbindings gehad nie. Vergelyking van die flavan-3-ol konsentrasie van Regal Seedless en Thompson Seedless by verskillende rypheidsgrade wys dat die konsentrasie baie hoër in die korrel skil van Regal Seedless as in die van Thompson Seedless (vir beide 2008 & 2009 seisoene). Die vergelyking van die voorkoms van verbruining met oesrypheid van beide kultivars wys duidelik dat eksterne verbruining van Regal Seedless in baie hoër persentasies voorkom as in Thompson Seedless. Flavan-3-ol konsentrasie in die skil van wit pitlose kultivars kan ‘n aanduiding wees van die kultivar se moontlike risiko vir die voorkoms van eksterne verbruining.

Les réactions d'oxydation impliquant les composés phénoliques semblent induire des modifications non négligeables du profil chimique et sensoriel des vins. Les travaux concernent l’étude des mécanismes réactionnels impliquant certains thiols volatils, contributeurs de l’arôme distinctif et de la complexité des vins des différents cépages avec les composés phénoliques oxydés des vins blancs, principalement les flavan-3-ols. En solution modèle de composition proche du vin, une réactivité différente des thiols volatils selon leur nature chimique vis à vis des formes oxydées des flavan-3-ols a été établie. La synthèse et la caractérisation des adduits par RMN entre les principaux composés phénoliques des moûts et des vins blancs et le 3-sulfanylhexanol, présentant des nuances d’agrumes, a ensuite été réalisée en conditions d’oxydation chimique et enzymatique. La suivi cinétique de la formation des adduits par CLHP-ESI-SM a permis de mettre en évidence une réactivité du thiol spécifique vis à vis d’un substrat polyphénolique, d’établir le rôle catalytique des métaux (Fe2+) et la capacité antioxydante du dioxyde de soufre vis à vis de ces mécanismes réactionnels. La compréhension de mécanismes fondamentaux de la réactivité de la (+)-catéchine et de la (-)-épicatéchine en conditions œnologiques avec les thiols volatils nous a permis de décliner les travaux à l’étude de l’influence de la présence des flavan-3-ols au cours de la vinification et de l’élevage des vins sur ces composants de l’arôme des vins blancs. / Oxidation reactions involving phenolics might change wines chemical and sensory profile. The present work concern the study of reactional mechanisms implying certain volatile thiols, responsible of distinctiveness and complexity of various wines, with white wines oxidized phenolic compounds, mainly flavan-3-ols. In a model wine solution, a different volatile thiol reactivity pattern according to their chemical nature with respect to oxidized flavan-3-ols forms was established. The adducts synthesis and characterization by NMR between the principal white musts and wines phenolic compounds and the 3-sulfanylhexanol, presenting citrus fruits nuances, were carried out under chemical and enzymatic oxidation conditions. Their formation monitoring by HPLC-ESI-MS highlighted a specific reactivity of thiol with polyphenolic substrate and established the catalytic role of metals (Fe2+) as well as, the antioxidant effect of sulphur dioxide into these mechanisms. The comprehension of fundamental mechanisms for the reactivity of (+)-catechin and of (-)-epicatechin with volatile thiols in oenological conditions enabled us to elucidate the influence of flavan-3-ols into white wines aroma compounds during wine making and ageing.

M.Sc. / In this study, natural and modified clinoptilolite (CLI) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites possessing improved mechanical and adsorptive properties were prepared through melt-mixing. Determination of morphological, structural and thermal properties was achieved by means of different techniques (FTIR, TGA, DSC, electron microscopy and x-ray spectroscopy). Electron microscopy revealed that increasing filler loading beyond 20% leads to agglomeration of clinoptilolite particles reducing their dispersion within the matrix. Thermal studies showed that the reinforced composites had a lower thermal stability than the neat PP polymer, suggesting that the clinoptilolite interfered with polymer chain arrangement and bonding. It also showed that percentage crystallinity increased with increasing filler loading indicating that the filler particles acted as nucleating agents within the polymeric matrix during composite synthesis. Prior to the ion-exchange studies, water sorption behaviour of fabricated composites was evaluated because ion-exchange/adsorption studies were to be performed in aqueous media. It was therefore observed that the hydrophobic polymer, PP attained the property of water sorption mainly due to the porous structure of the composites created by mixing and extrusion and also by the addition of the hydrophilic filler material.