Session III
Valorisation of By-products of Viticulture and Oenology
Sub-sessions cover the medicinal use of polyphenols, organic plant protection, natural biopolymers, functional foods and animal feed supplements, and the use of viticultural green waste and winery waste for soil improvement.
The medicinal use of the polyphenol content of grapevine matrices and winery waste
The polyphenols found in grapevine, fruit, leaves and viticultural green waste and even winery waste are studied for their medicinal uses due to potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help in the prevention and management of a wide range of degenerative conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders and human fungal pathogens. The combination of these beneficial properties and the low toxicity of their compounds make grape leaves a by-product with great potential for use in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. New methods of extraction, identification of chemical properties and antifungal activity of phenolic and polyphenolic compounds from edible and non-edible V. vinifera and other Vitis sp. matrices are important research areas. Recovery of vine leaves and green waste from green work.
Organic plant protection using bioactive compounds from the grapevine
Organic agriculture is looking for sustainable alternatives to the ecotoxic copper-based fungicides against powdery mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola. Polyphenol-rich extracts of agricultural by-products, such as grape and wine by-products, are known to have fungicidal activity, but their actual use is often limited by the high production costs. In contrast, the utilisation of residues (marc, lees, green waste, grape seeds, grape skins), often treated as waste, offers excellent and economically viable opportunities for the production of organic, natural pesticides to replace ecotoxic substances.
Use of natural biopolymers in the vine and wine sector
Viticulture is facing challenges such as plant stress and microbial infections due to environmental factors and the need for sustainable waste management practices. Natural polymers offer promising solutions to these problems due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and functional versatility. Natural polymers such as chitosan, alginate and cellulose in the development of bio-based protective coatings and treatments that enhance the resistance of plants to abiotic stresses, pathogens and pests or function as carriers of valuable compounds extracted from grapevine waste may greatly contribute to organic viticulture.
By-products for functional food and animal feed supplements
Viticultural and winery byproducts, such as green viticultural waste, grape pomace, and marc are rich in bioactive compounds like polyphenols and fibre, making them valuable for developing functional foods for humans and enriching animal feed supplements. The valorisation of viticultural and winery byproducts through their incorporation into functional foods and animal feed supplements represents a significant opportunity within the circular economy, transforming waste into valuable, health-promoting ingredients. These applications leverage the inherent rich content of bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, to deliver benefits across both human and animal nutrition.
Use of viticultural green waste and winery waste for soil improvement
Viticultural green waste (prunings and leaves) and winery waste (grape marc, stems, lees, and wastewater) can be effectively used for soil improvement through composting and direct application as mulch or soil amendments. These practices increase soil organic matter, enhance microbial activity, and improve soil structure, leading to more sustainable viticulture.