In Vitro Evaluation of Biological and Anticancer Activities Exhibited by Five Varieties of Vitis vinifera L.

Vitis vinifera commonly known as grapevine is one of the most important fruit crops worldwide. Its cultivation started more than 7000 years ago in the Near East, and over the millennia was followed by the development of thousands of cultivars that were further selected and characterized for specific purposes. Its important pharmacological value and its richness in phytoconstituents were the triggers to perform this project. Seven extracts were prepared from five different V. vinifera varieties (V. vinifera 'Black Pearl' (BP), V. vinifera 'Red Glob' (RG), V. vinifera 'Crimson' (CR), V. vinifera 'Beitamouni' (BE) and V. vinifera 'Superior' (SU)) by separating the pulp from the seeds, followed by methanolic extraction. The phytochemical analysis showed that red colored grapes (RE, BP and CR), the seeds from V. vinifera 'Black Pearl' and V. vinifera 'Red Globe' contain higher amounts of primary and secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, anthocyanins and reducing sugars. In addition to their richness in phytoconstituents, these varieties/seeds possess an important antioxidant activity. The results of the cell viability assays showed that the red varieties have a potential anticancer activity against Capan-2 pancreatic cancer and MDA-MB231(TNBC) breast cancer cell lines, with the greatest promise when combined with the seeds.

Maturity Assessment of Different Table Grape Cultivars Grown at Six Different Altitudes in Lebanon.

Table grapes are harvested based on well-known maturity indices that must be monitored after fruit veraison. The aim of this study was to assess these indices across multiple locations and environmental conditions, encompassing different table grape cultivars such as Black Pearl, Crimson Seedless, Superior Seedless, and Red Globe. For this reason, grape sampling was conducted across six distinct locations characterized by varying altitudes above sea level (m asl) and environmental conditions over the ripening season. The main maturity indices, including pH, sugar content, titratable acidity, berry firmness, and other parameters were monitored over the growing season. Moreover, the quantification of total polyphenols, total anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity was determined using spectrophotometric assays at harvesting. The study has examined the effect of the vineyard's location on grape quality and its interaction with the cultivar and environment. Crimson Seedless maintained a relatively high level of acidity with altitude near harvesting. Black Pearl exhibited a notable decline in both sugar content and berry firmness as elevation increased, whereas Red Globe demonstrated contrasting outcomes. The optimal maturity of Superior Seedless was observed at an elevation of 1000 m asl. Black Pearl and Crimson Seedless exhibited better adaptability to intermediate elevations (650 and 950 m asl), while Red Globe and Superior Seedless showed better adaptability to higher elevations (1000-1150 m asl). Among the studied cultivars, Black Pearl exhibited significantly higher levels of total polyphenols and anthocyanins, while close values were noticed between red and green cultivars.