Extraction and Characterization of Proanthocyanidins from Grape Seeds

Abstract

Grape seed contains many polyphenolic compounds that have potential health-promoting benefits. Among these compounds are proanthocyanidins, also known as condensed tannins, which is a class of flavanols. The basic structural building blocks of flavanols are polyhydroxyflavan-3-ol units linked together by CC bonds. They are widely distributed in plants but grape seed has very high contents. This study examined extraction and purification technologies for obtaining proanthocyanidins from grape seeds and analytical methods and tools for characterizing them.