A. Vernhet et al., CHARGE PROPERTIES OF SOME GRAPE AND WINE POLYSACCHARIDE AND POLYPHENOLIC FRACTIONS, American journal of enology and viticulture, 47(1), 1996, pp. 25-30
Charge densities of the major wine polysaccharides and of grape seed a
nd wine polyphenols have been determined with a method developed by Mu
tek (Germany), relying on titration with a counter-charged polyelectro
lyte associated to streaming potential measurements. Charge densities
were determined in a model hydroalcoholic solution at pH 3.5 and in 10
mM KNO3 solutions, from pH 2 to 9. The polysaccharides tested - yeast
mannoproteins, grape arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs), and rhamnogalac
turonan RG-II - carried negative charges in the wine pH range. The net
charge density of yeast mannoproteins was shown to be related to thei
r phosphorus content and to be pH-independent in the range tested (2 t
o 9). Absolute charge densities of AGPs and RG-II were related to the
dissociation of the carboxylic functions of their uronic acids and inc
reased dramatically in the pH range 2 to 5. Polyphenolic fractions, in
cluding native tannins isolated from grape seeds and polyphenolic frac
tions recovered from wine, carried no charges or negligible charges at
pH 3.5. As a consequence, wine polysaccharides may establish electros
tatic and ionic interactions, but such interactions will play little,
if any, in the association of polyphenols with other components.