Post-Harvest Profile of Grapes - Agmarknet

Botanical description:
Grapes belong to the family Vitaceae. Plants are climbing vine which has
thin and smooth shiny leaves. The vines
produce round or oval berries. Grapes
are borne in clusters, which consist of
peduncle, rachis and berries. Grapes
grow in clusters of 6 to 300 berries. Fruit
are berries. Berries can be green, black,
blue, golden, purple, red, pink, brown,
peach or white. The berry consists of
skin, pulp and seeds. The epidermis of
the skin of the berries is composed of
thick layer of cells, which are 5%-12% of the total weight of the berry. The skin is
covered with cut in or bloom, comprises 1% to 2% of skin weight. Most varieties of
the grapes are self-pollinated.
The genus Vitis is largely distributed between 25° and 50° N latitude in
Europe, the Middle East, North America, and eastern Asia. The genus Vitis is
divided into 2 sub-genera:
1. Euvitis - "True grapes"; characterized by elongated clusters of fruit with berries
adhering to stems at maturity, forked tendrils, diaphragms in pith at nodes, also
called "bunch grapes”. Most of the cultivated species are in this sub-genera.
2. Muscadinia - Muscadine grapes; characterized by small fruit clusters,
thick-skinned fruit, berries that detach one-by-one as they mature, simple
tendrils, and the lack of diaphragms in pith at nodes. There are only 2-3
species in this section.
1.1 ORIGIN:
Cultivation of grapes originated in Western Asia and Europe.
1.2 IMPORTANCE:
Grape is one of the most delicious fruits. Grapes are widely consumed
as fresh fruit in India. It is also used for producing raisins, wine and other
products. The peel of grapes is the source of essential oil and pectin. It can
also serve as a raw material for the production of cattle feed and in
preparation of candies. Raisins are rich source of sugar most of which is
fructose and antioxidants.
Grapes production occupies significance in the context that it is the
third most widely cultivated fruit after citrus and banana. Globally grapes
production contributes to about 16% of the total fruit production. Grapes are
laxative and diuretic. They are useful in fighting dyspepsia, hemorrhoids,
stones in the urinary tract and bile ducts. They also activate liver functions,
ease digestion, help to reduce cholesterol level of blood and eliminate uric
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