Muscadine grapes are indigenous to the warm, humid climate of the south. The GA Ag. Experiment Station and the USDA introduced improved varieties of muscadine cultivars which have been grown commercially for about 30 years. Muscadines are harvested from August to October; fresh muscadines are marketed for only 6-8 weeks per year. The predominant markets for muscadines include the fresh fruit market, wine and juice production and preserves, jellies, jams and sauces. Of these, wine is currently the most significant economic product; however, development of additional value added products such as nutraceuticals, functional foods, beverages and food ingredients will greatly expand the muscadine market. Production of high quality juice and secondary products from pomace are viable options for growers. Various factors limit market competitiveness with traditional wine or juice grapes. Many factors influence color and antioxidant retention in grape products, including the presence and concentration of other polyphenolics in solution or by the use of polyphenolic fortificants (extracts) derived from the muscadine grape itself. The purpose of this project is to commercialize the production of the first bulk extracts and nutraceutical powders of muscadine for formulation into various products in the dietary supplements, cosmetics, functional foods, and juice industries. As a byproduct of the current juicing operation, muscadine skins and seeds are traditionally a waste. These fractions, however, are a rich source of phytochemicals in the anthocyanin and polyphenolic categories. OBJECTIVES: 1. Develop safe, affordable, concentrated muscadine extracts to help benefit human and animal health 2. Develop a sustainable, environmentally friendly extraction process for the production of these concentrated extracts 3. Dry and process muscadine extract byproducts for powdered nutraceutical ingredients 4. Conduct biological, analytical, and toxicological research as new products are developed in order to ensure consumer safety and efficacy. APPROACH: Concentrated muscadine extracts, manufactured in a sustainable manufacturing process, will be produced. The Universities of Georgia and Florida will conduct biological and analytical research to better understand the anti-inflammatory and gene expression indices along with the chemical profiles these standardized extracts offer. Paulk Vineyards currently owns all processing equipment except for standardization lab equipment and a spray dryer for powdering concentrated extracts and liquid byproduct. Through the use of this equipment, these value-added products and biomedical research will ultimately stimulate the muscadine industry and benefit the local rural economy of south Georgia. PROGRESS: 2005/09 TO 2006/08 Over the course of the past year, Paulk Vineyarsd & the spin-off company, Muscadine Products Corporation, has made much progress in the research and development of manufacturing and marketing muscadine grape nutraceuticals and extracts. The University of Georgia has also conducted much research on the muscadines that further proves the nutraceutical value of the product. Below is a brief synopsis of their findings: Muscadine skin extract has anti-inflammatory activities in both in vitro and in vivo test models (J Agric Food Chem. 2005; 53(22):8481-4). The topical anti-inflammatory activity of muscadine extract has not been previously tested. Hypothesis: Muscadine skin extract will attenuate ear inflammation, edema, and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte infiltration induced by topical application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate- (TPA). TPA is a lectin that activates both short-term and long-term mediators of inflammation. Experimental Design: Muscadine skin extract (1:4; dry ext wt/vol H20), indomethacin (0.5mg/ear as an anti-inflammatory drug standard), or vehicle was applied to left ears of female Swiss mice 30m pre- and post-TPA (2mcg/ear) administration. Ear thickness was measured before, 4hr, and 24hrs post-TPA administration to index percent inhibition of ear edema. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, an index of PMN leukocyte infiltration, was measured from ear punch biopsies at 24 hours. Results: Muscadine treatment decreased ear edema due to TPA by 35% during 0-4hrs, and 38% during 0-24hrs. This compared with a 67%, and a 64% decrease of TPA-induced ear edema by indomethacin during 0-4 hrs, and 0-24 hrs, respectively. Muscadine treatment decreased TPA-induced MPO activity by 77%. This compared with a 90% inhibition by topical indomethacin treatment. Conclusion: The data indicate that muscadine skin extract is a highly anti-inflammatory, yet non-toxic, topical nutraceutical product. Dr. Steve Talcott, with the University of Florida has also conducted valuable processing oriented research. Through the efforts of his research, Muscadine Products Corporation is now ready to begin processing various batches of liquid extracts as we harvest muscadines during August and September. As fresh fruit is crushed and pressed for juice, the skins and seeds will be processed in the manners which Dr. Talcott has directed to acheive concentrated liquid extracts. Because of this research and manufacturing development, Muscadine Products Corporation is in the process of purchasing and pilot scale spray dryer to manufacture batches of powdered concentrated extracts. IMPACT: 2005/09 TO 2006/08 Throughout the course of this project, the owners of Muscadine Products Corporation and colaborating researchers have been enthused. The developing extraction process promises to add value to current byproducts, adding economic value to the muscadine crop. As a result of the increased, and annual, processing MPC has employed 3 more staff for processing, shipping, and sales. Processing and operating on a more annual schedule, along with employing more staff, has greatly improved the local rural economy. PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2005/09 TO 2006/08 1. Muscadine nutraceuticals prevent TNBS-induced colitis in rats. Eve E. Bralley1, James L. Hargrove2, Phillip Greenspan1, Diane K.Hartle1: 1Departments of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Science, Nutraceutical Research Labs and 2Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. 2005 2. Muscadine Skin Nutraceutical Extract Is Highly Anti-Inflammatory in the TPA Model of Topical Inflammation. Eve E. Bralley1, James L. Hargrove2, Phillip Greenspan1, Diane K.Hartle1: 1Departments of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Science, Nutraceutical Research Labs and 2Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. 2005
