The Chemistry Behind Resveratrol and Its Sources

It is not uncommon to find someone wonderingcontains circa 50-100 micrograms (µg) per
what it's this that has been enjoying so muchgram.
publicity in the recent past. Resveratrol is aBe advised that the content of resveratrol in wine
phytoalexin, in simple words a particular class ofis directly related to the duration the grape skins
antibiotic compounds that are manufactured bystay in the process of fermentation. This justifies
plants as part of the plant's defense mechanismthe reason why resveratrol is highly concentrated
against diseases. For instance, a plant respondingin red wine compared to its white wine
to a fungus invasion will synthesize resveratrolcounterpart. This is simply because during the
from malonyl CoA and coumaroyl CoA. Note thatprocess of making white wine, the grapes are
fungal infections tend to attack plants that areskinned earlier, subsequently reducing the amount
commonly found in cool climates, justifying theextracted.
reason why resveratrol is found in very highWith these facts, we can justifiably say that
concentrations in grapes.grape juice shouldn't be considered as a significant
Resveratrol is present in many plants such as lily,resveratrol source. This is because it isn't a
spruce, eucalyptus and in foods such as peanutsfermented drink. While peanuts constitutes on
and mulberries although in small amounts. Theaverage around 73 µg of resveratrol, an
most abundant natural source of resveratrolounce of red wine constitutes on average 160
however is labrusca, Vitis vinifera, and muscadineµg of resveratrol. Wine is thus the number
grapes, which are known for their role in makingone acknowledged and recognized source of
wines. Resveratrol occurs in seeds, roots, vines,resveratrol, although you can still get it in great
and stalks but the highest concentrations of it areamounts in supplements and pills.
found on the skin of the fruits. In fact, the skin