Stilbenes in grape berries and wine and their potential role as anti-obesity agents: A review

Background: Stilbenes are a group of naturally occurring phenolic compounds. These compounds are synthetized by plants in response of biotic or abiotic stress situations. The major dietary sources of stilbenes for humans are grape berries and wine. To accurately identify and quantify these compounds, the research community has undertaken considerable efforts to optimise samples preparations and analytical methods. In addition, stilbenes are well-known to possess a wide range of biological activities for human health. One of the most recent and promising properties demonstrated by stilbenes are their anti-obesity effects. Scope and approach: The principal objectives of this review are to address and discuss about: i) stilbenes in grape berries and wine, the factors that can modulate their concentrations and the most efficient sample preparation techniques and analytical methods used for their detection; ii) the most important investigations related to the in vitro and in vivo anti-obesity effects of grape and wine stilbenes and the associated molecular mechanisms. Key Findings and Conclusions: Stilbene concentration in grape and wines can vary substantially. The composition of stilbenes in red wine is much more complex than in white wine. Until today, more than 30 stilbenes have been identified in grapes and wines. The liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry is the most efficient method to investigate stilbene content. Regarding anti-obesity properties of stilbenes, a great number of in vitro and in vivo studies have allowed to demonstrate not only the positive implications of these bioactives but also the underlying mechanisms of the observed effects.

Automated summary

Stilbenes are natural phenolic compounds synthesized by plants in response to stress. They are found in grape berries and wine, with potential anti-obesity effects. Optimized analytical methods are essential for accurate detection and quantification of stilbenes.