'Early' leaf removal can lead to a positive effect on the quality of Nero d'Avola under the environmental conditions in which the present study was undertaken but particular attention has to be given to the time of grape harvest. The results also demonstrate that 'early' defoliation can be applied to improve wine quality in the Mediterranean region, where there is a concentration of rainfall during winter, and nearly arid conditions and high temperatures during the summer.

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This study aimed to characterize the phenolic and the volatile constituents and to establish the antioxidant potential and the toxicity of a hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the leaves and flower buds of Matthiola incana (L.) R.Br. subsp. incana growing wild in Sicily (Italy). By HPLC‐PDA/ESI‐MS analysis, 12 phenolics (two phenolic acid derivatives and ten flavonoids) were identified, and eight of them were reported for the first time; luteolin‐glucoside was the main component (57.07 mg/g±0.87 % RSD). By SPME‐GC/MS, 47 volatile constituents were fully characterized, and dimethyl trisulfide turned out to be the most abundant one (33.24 %). The extract showed moderate activity both in the DPPH and in the reducing power assays (IC50=2.32±0.24 mg/mL; ASE/mL=12.29±0.42); it did not inhibit the lipid peroxidation, whereas it was found to possess good chelating properties reaching approximately 90 % activity at the highest tested dose. Moreover, the extract protected growth and survival from H2O2‐induced oxidative stress in Escherichia coli. Finally, the extract was non‐toxic against Artemia salina (LC50>1000 μg/mL). These findings increase the knowledge of M. incana subsp. incana and they could be helpful to a chemosystematic distinguishing of this subspecies also demonstrating that the aerial parts represent a safe source of antioxidants.

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