Grape juice in Brazil is a product widely consumed for their sensory and nutritional characteristics, however, treatments during processing can cause loss of phenolic compounds important in defining these characteristics. Ultrasound is cited as a possible elicitor of these compounds, since the mechanical stress caused by acoustic cavitation and microstreaming stimulates the plant defense responses that lead to synthesis of these substances. In this study, different power densities (53 and 113 W.cm-2) and exposure times (1, 5 and 10 minutes) of ultrasound were applied in Isabel grapes and its effect on the total polyphenols content and sensory aspect of the juices was evaluated. The ultrasound caused an increase of up to 83% in total polyphenols content, improving the sensory characteristics of juices, being chosen as preferred by the tasters.
Ultrasound; Elicitor; Phytoalexins; Polyphenols; Juice; Grape
