MULTI-ELEMENTAL PROFILE AND CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO VARIETY, AREA, AND YEAR OF PRODUCTION OF PIWI GRAPE VARIETIES

The grapes' elemental composition depends on where the vine is grown, which is widely used to distinguish the geographical origin of different varieties. However, several factors, including grape variety and vintage, influence grapes' elemental profile. Considering there are few studies on the elemental composition of grapes grown in Brazil, this work aimed to assess the elemental composition of three PIWI grape varieties grown in two winegrowing regions of Santa Catarina. White grapes (Calardis Blanc, Felicia, and Helios) from Videira (830m altitude) and Urussanga (49m altitude) regions were evaluated in two consecutive harvests (2022 and 2023). The homogenized samples were digested in open flask acid digestion for multi-elemental analysis. The elemental concentration was determined by Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) Magnesium was the element found in the highest concentration for all grape varieties in both harvests, with values ranging from 650.70 and 1344.25 mg Kg-1. This element is fundamental in plant metabolism, regulating cellular pH and acting as a cofactor for enzymes involved in DNA and RNA formation, thus, justifying its high concentration. Principal Component Analysis showed that the first two CPs explained most of the variability in the data (82% for the 2022 harvest and 89% for the 2023 harvest). Regarding the two harvests evaluated, It was possible to observe the separation of samples mainly according to the place of cultivation, with a strong influence of Co, Ni, Cu, Fe, and Mg. For all varieties and harvests, the Cd and Pb elements showed values below the detection limit (0.002 and 0.009 mg Kg-1, respectively). The evaluation of these potentially toxic metals is essential in foodstuffs to determine whether they are safe or harmful to human consumption. Therefore, the data below the detection limit for Cd and Pb, indicate that PIWI grape varieties are suitable for wine-making.