Research Progress in Imaging Technology for Assessing Quality in Wine Grapes and Seeds

The chemical composition of wine grapes changes qualitatively and quantitatively during the ripening process. In addition to the sugar content, which determines the alcohol content of the wine, it is necessary to consider the phenolic composition of the grape skins and seeds to obtain quality red wines. In this work, some imaging techniques have been used for the comprehensive characterisation of the chemical composition of red grapes (cv. Tempranillo and cv. Syrah) grown in a warm-climate region during two seasons. In addition, and for the first time, mathematical models trained with laboratory images have been extrapolated for using in field images, obtaining interesting results. Determination coefficients of 0.90 for sugars, 0.73 for total phenols, and 0.73 for individual anthocyanins in grape skins have been achieved with a portable hyperspectral camera between 400 and 1000 nm, and 0.83 for total and individual phenols in grape seeds with a desktop hyperspectral camera between 900 and 1700 nm.

Automated summary

The chemical composition of red grapes during the ripening process was comprehensively characterized using imaging techniques. Mathematical models trained with laboratory images were extrapolated for using in field images, achieving high determination coefficients for sugar, phenols, and anthocyanins in grape skins and seeds.