Flavonoid accumulation is a phenomenon associated to grape maturation and could be ascribed
to several active and passive mechanisms. A more detailed knowledge of these processes could provide
outputs about to improve the nutritional values of grape and its derivatives. This goal will be obtained assessing
an immunochemical detection device able to point out the expression level of membrane transporters in grape
skin and, thus, to estimate the polyphenol accumulation potential. In addition, this innovative test could allow
to determine the best time for grape harvest, following in the field the dynamics of flavonoid accumulation
systems. This parameter will implement the usual parameters applied by agronomical techniques, which
are based on sugar content and acidity measurement. The evaluation of the phenolic maturity represents an
efficient tool for the assessment of grape quality, since it takes into account the concentration of secondary
metabolites as fundamental antioxidant molecules.
