David Garcia*
*California State University, Fresno, 5469 North Cedar Ave, Fresno, CA, 93710 (soledadkd@mail.fresnostate.edu)

This study explores the use of trans-resveratrol from Cabernet Sauvignon grape cane waste in California as an innovative and sustainable income stream for vineyard growers. Employing high-pressure liquid chromatography, we quantified trans-resveratrol concentrations to assess the efficacy of different ethanol extraction concentrations, vineyard location, and soil composition to optimize yield. This process has a twofold advantage: enhancing profitability by converting pruning waste into valuable antioxidants and promoting environmental sustainability by decreasing agricultural waste. The investigation determined that using 50% ABV ethanol significantly surpasses alternative methods for extracting maximum trans-resveratrol yields, demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of this sustainable practice.

Comparative analysis of five distinct vineyards in California reinforced the necessity of careful site selection and the adjustment of extraction parameters to boost trans-resveratrol extraction. This approach provides not only a method to increase vineyard revenue, but also to advance sustainable agricultural practices by transforming waste into a resource.

Converting agricultural waste into antioxidants like trans-resveratrol provides a viable pathway for vineyards to enhance their economic model while contributing to ecological conservation. Ethanol extraction of 50% ABV was the superior technique, providing a practical framework to reduce environmental footprint and advance waste to wealth strategies in agriculture, promising notable gains for the economy and the environment.

Funding Support: Dr. Qun Sun