In this study, the grape skin and seed proanthocyanidin profiles from Monastrell x Syrah grape (Vitis vinifera L.) crosses were determined. Concentration and compositional information in extracts was determined by reversed-phase HPLC after acid-catalyzed cleavage in the presence of excess phloroglucinol. In general, the proanthocyanidin compositions of crosses were qualitatively similar to those of Monastrell and Syrah, but, quantitatively, differences were observed. Consistent with transgressive segregation, the proanthocyanidin concentration in some crosses exceeded that in either parent. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to provide information on the inheritance of proanthocyanidin features from V. vinifera cultivars. The overall objective of this study is to develop new varieties that are well-adapted to our agro-ecological conditions, as Monastrell is, and with a proanthocyanidin profile that will result in high-quality wines.

Proanthocyanidins are found in the seeds and skins of winegrapes and are extracted into the must-wine during maceration. For seed proanthocyanidins, extraction is generally thought to be possible only in the presence of ethanol. This study examined the extraction of seed proanthocyanidins in model solutions with increasing concentrations of ethanol, from 0 to 15% v/v. Spectrophotometric and chromatographic results showed that ethanol was not required for proanthocyanidin extraction, although its presence increased the rate of extraction. Extraction dynamics indicated that alcohol increased the rate of proanthocyanidin extraction for the initial six days of maceration, after which, even in the absence of ethanol, the extraction rate was nearly identical for all treatments. These findings suggest that extraction time is an important consideration when managing techniques, such as cold soak, which are thought not to affect seed proanthocyanidin extraction.

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This paper explores the characteristics of the anthocyanin and flavonol composition and content in grapes from plants resulting from intraspecific crosses of Vitis vinifera varieties Monastrell × Cabernet Sauvignon, Monastrell × Syrah, and Monastrell × Barbera, in order to acquire information for future breeding programs. The anthocyanin and flavonol compositions of twenty-seven hybrids bearing red grapes and 15 hybrids bearing white grapes from Monastrell × Syrah, 32 red and 6 white from Monastrell × Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13 red from Monastrell × Barbera have been studied. Among the intraspecific crosses, plants with grapes presenting very high concentrations of anthocyanins and flavonols were found, indicating a transgressive segregation for this character, and this could lead to highly colored wines with an increased benefits for human health. As regards the qualitative composition of anthocyanins and flavonols, the hydroxylation pattern of the hybrids that also may influence wine color hue and stability presented intermediate values to those of the parentals, indicating that values higher than that showed by the best parental in this respect will be difficult to obtain. The results presented here can be helpful to acquire information for future breeding efforts, aimed at improving fruit quality through the effects of flavonoids.

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The transformation of primary forestlands into lands under cultivation exerts an impact on the physical and chemical properties of the soils, leading to loss of carbon from the soil. The aims of this study were (1) to estimate the impact of different land use on organic carbon stock (OC-stock) and (2) to determine the clay percentage, the dispersion factor, and bulk density with regard to soil management. Thirty soil profiles were sampled as follows: four under primary forests with 80-100 years (old growth); two under secondary wood forests with 45-50 years; eight under secondary young forests with 15-25 years; four under pasture land with 15-20 years; and 12 under continuous cultivation for > 50 years. We determined the changes in OC-stock in the soils under different land-use conditions in relation to the primary forest variant.There was a difference in the OC-stock of the continuous cultivation variant compared to the remaining land-use variants for all soil-thickness layers. The greatest loss of cultivated soil was in the 0-20 cm layer of the primary forest OC-stock. In the 50-100 cm layer, the OC-stock of the cultivated soils diminished significantly. As regards physical properties, such as clay percentage,, dispersion factor, and bulk density, we observed significant differences between the cultivated soils compared to the remaining land-use variants.

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