The resveratrol (3, 5, 4’ – trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin, meaning that it is produced by different plants in response to some conditions, as environmentally unfriendly factors, wounds, fungal infections, ultraviolet rays, etc. Resveratrol has a strong antioxidant capacity. It is considered as having an antioxidant capacity of 4 up to5 times stronger than beta-carotene, 20 times stronger than vitamin C, and even 50 times stronger than vitamin E. Actually, resveratrol is a well-known nutritional principle considered valuable for reducing risk of cardiovascular diseases, but it is also presumed to be involved in extension of the life span, by activation of longevity gene. Even though several fruit species (grapes, berries and peanuts), are resveratrol sources, grapes skins and seeds are mostly studied, in this aim. Few research is dedicated to the study of resveratrol content in berries, even though high amounts of this principle may be found in these species, which could be higher valuated. In order to perform an accurate quantification of resveratrol occurrence in these sources, selecting the appropriate methodology is a critical step. This study is a short review of the available methodologies destined to quantify the resveratrol from berries. The methods included in the category of non-conventional aim those that use a series of high performance techniques, based on physics methods, as: ultrasounds, microwaves, high pressure, and pulsed electric field. A large diversity of methodologies is available for obtaining resveratrol from different matrices, including berries. They may be classified in conventional and unconventional methods. The solvent extraction is practiced at large extent, but it has a series of disadvantages, like long duration and pollutant action on the environment, due to the solvents involved. All these methods are environmentally friendly (because small amounts or no solvents are used), short duration, and have high accuracy, but high investments are needed in equipment, which are very expensive. .This study aims to review the available methodologies destined to quantify the resveratrol from berries, in order to select the most appropriate.

antioxidant capacity, berries, health

environmental engineering

Presentation: oral