Chlorophyll and carotenoid quantifications in white grape (Vitis vinifera L.) skins by reflectance spectroscopy

Abstract

In white grapes, chlorophylls and carotenoids play important roles in berry color and environmental interactions (e.g. radiative stresses). In this paper, easy, fast and low cost non-invasive reflectance methods have been tested and developed. Previously published indexes showed good performances for chlorophyll quantifications. However, in this work, new formulas able to discriminate chlorophylls a and b were also proposed. The wavelengths of major interest for the absorption detection were identified. Formulas based on the Gaussians half heights were proposed. In general, chlorophyll quantifications were obtained directly from reflectance spectra, while carotenoid absorption bands did not allow good reflectance correlations. However, the chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio (due to the pigments physiological linked roles) could be used to estimate carotenoid content. Their proportion changes during berry development, thus the index coefficients should be adapted in relation to the BBCH phenological phase. The obtained indexes demonstrated good correlations with the destructive quantifications. These methods could support further researches concerning cultivar classification and physiological studies.