P. Jeandet et al., THE POTENTIAL RELATIONSHIP OF STILBENE (RESVERATROL) SYNTHESIS TO ANTHOCYANIN CONTENT IN GRAPE BERRY SKINS, Vitis, 34(2), 1995, pp. 91-94
The relationship between the production of resveratrol, a phytoalexin
related to grape disease resistance, and the anthocyanin content of gr
ape berries in diverse Vitis species has been investigated. Previous s
tudies have reported that the phytoalexin production potential of grap
es suddenly declines at veraison. The results obtained here from assay
ing resveratrol and anthocyanins from grape berries in different devel
opmental stages suggest that chalcone synthase (EC 2.3.1.74), the key
enzyme involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, may compete with stilbene
(resveratrol) synthase (EC 2.3.1.-), such that the decrease of the ab
ility of grapes to synthesize resveratrol in response to UV-irradiatio
n observed after the onset of fruit ripening may be a consequence of t
he concomitant rise of anthocyanin accumulation in fruits.