Abstract

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) has shown to have an effect of enhancing some properties without detrimental effects on important quality characteristics, such as colour, pH, and turbidity. This suggests that this technique can be used as an alternative to the existing methods used in wine industry processing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HHP on aroma compounds and also sensory and quality properties of young white wine. HHP treatment did not influence physicochemical parameters, total phenols, and flavonoid contents of white wine; however, the results from analysis of wine indicate that there was a great variation in the concentration of free and total sulphur dioxide (SO2) values and antioxidant capacity of white wine after HHP application. The sensory attributes, such as taste, odour, and overall quality, were not affected by HHP processing at 300 MPa. The chromatic characteristics changed slightly after applying HHP, but these changes could not be visually perceived because they were less than 5%. The use of this technique has the potential to decrease the amount of SO2 added to raw grapes thus maintaining the same properties found in untreated wine. This study provided valuable insights into the biochemical and sensory composition of commercial white wine and how this might change during HHP processing.

1. Introduction

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made up of water (80% to 85%), alcohols (mostly ethanol, 9% to 15%), and a variety of minor constituents (~3%) [1]. Such minor constituents include organic acids, sugars, phenols, nitrogenous compounds, enzymes, vitamins, lipids, inorganic anions and cations, and a large number of volatile compounds. Of these, organic acids and phenols play a critical role by directly affecting product quality. Wine flavour is a complex mixture of taste and aroma attributes; the first is made up of a subtle balance of sweet (sugars), sour (organic acids), and bitter/astringent (polyphenols) taste attributes; the second is made up of a large number of volatile compounds belonging to alcohol classes (lower and higher), organic esters, volatile organic acids, aldehydes, lactones, phenols, sulphur-containing compounds, methoxypyrazines, norisoprenoids, ketones, and terpenes all of which contribute to wine aroma [2].

The quality and safety of food products are some of the most important factors influencing consumer choices in modern times [3]. Today’s consumers demand high-quality foods to be additive-free, fresh in flavour, microbiologically safe, and with an extended shelf life [4]. Since 1985, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required package labelling for most foods and beverages when sulphites are used as an additive. Due to its antiseptic and antioxidant properties, sulphur dioxide (SO2) is one of the most versatile and efficient additives used in winemaking. All the wines sold in the United States via interstate commerce include a warning statement if they contain more than 10 ppm sulphites. Although the population of sulphite-sensitive consumers is relatively small, the perception that sulphites can cause negative health effects is still common.

During the last decade, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) technology has been used in food processing because it offers several advantages compared to traditional food conservation and hygiene methods [4]. Some important advantages of this technology in the food industry include (a) microorganism and enzyme inactivation, (b) biopolymer modification, (c) quality retention, such as colour and flavour, and (d) changes in product functionality [5]. A whole range of food products currently being treated by HHP, such as fruit juices, seafood, and meat products, can be found on storing shelves around the world [68].

HHP use in wine is a relatively new application. It can usually be used to either inactivate undesirable microorganisms in wine or change its physicochemical and sensory properties. Tao et al. [9] and Corrales et al. [10] found that the biochemical stabilisation of wine was affected by HHP when pressure exceeded 600 MPa or the pressure holding time reached 1 h. Volume reduction induced by HHP can cause changes in chemical reaction equilibrium [6] and in the physicochemical characteristic of red wine; namely, colour intensity and phenolic compound content decreased. As to sensory properties, the sour and fruity aroma of the wine weakened after 2 h of pressurisation whereas the intensity of several gustative attributes, including astringency, alcohol content, and bitter taste, were slightly enhanced. Pressure treatments at 400–500 MPa for 5 min have influenced red wine physicochemical and sensory characteristics in the long-run; namely, it showed a brighter orange-red colour, the antioxidant capacity, the total phenolic content, and anthocyanin content decreased due to an increase in condensation reactions of phenolic compounds during wine ageing [11]. It is difficult to generalise the effect of HHP processing for different food products because of their complexity. Little research has been conducted using HHP to treat wines [12, 13]. Reports indicate that pressures between 300 MPa and 500 MPa for 5 to 15 min can inactivate bacteria and yeasts in red and white wines without causing significant sensory changes [4, 14]. Sweet wines containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae and/or lactic acid bacteria were successfully stabilised by HHP at 350–600 MPa [15, 16]. In a study conducted by Lonvaud-Funel et al. [16] and Delfini et al. [15], the optimal conditions for pressure, time, and temperature were established to achieve microbiological and biochemical stability in wines with different levels of microorganism inoculation and SO2.

To use HHP on wine, more studies are needed about chemical reactions caused by HHP, especially how it affects the physicochemical sensory and quality properties of young white wine. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of high hydrostatic pressure on oenological and quality properties of young white wine (Sauvignon blanc). The total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, colour, aroma components, and sensory properties, as well as the possible variations in physicochemical parameters, were evaluated.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Reagents and Other Materials

Trolox® (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid), methanol (Tedia, USA), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl), and Folin-Ciocalteau phenol reagents were from Merck (Darmstadt, Germany). Milli-Q water was obtained through a Millipore filtration system (Millipore Co., USA). All standards were purchased from Aldrich (Milwaukee, WI, USA) and Fluka (Buchs, Switzerland). Purity of all standards was above 99%. A Folin-Ciocalteau (FC) reagent was from Merck (Merck KGaA, Germany), as well as 0.1 N standard solution of sodium hydroxide, 30% solution H2O2, copper sulphate, sulphuric acid, and hydrochloric acid (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany).

2.2. Wine Samples

The young white wine (Sauvignon blanc) used in this study was acquired from the Veramonte Winery’s 2012 harvest in the Casablanca Valley, Chile. The wine contained 15–20 ppm of free sulphur dioxide (SO2), but it did not contain bentonite. Once fermentation was completed, the white wine was packaged in 60-L polyethylene drums and stored until the HHP treatment in the dark. All the wine analysis was realized in triplicate.

2.3. High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) Treatment

Packaged white wine was pressurised in a 2-L pressure unit (Avure Technologies Incorporated, Kent, WA, USA) with a 700 × 600 mm cylinder. In all cases, water was used as the pressure-transmitting medium; white wine was treated at 400 MPa, 450 MPa, and 500 MPa for 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min at ambient temperature and compared to untreated wine. Pressurised and untreated wine samples were stored at 16°C until physicochemical characterisation was performed.

2.4. Physicochemical Analysis

The values of the physicochemical parameters, such as soluble solid, pH, total acidity, tartaric acid, and degree of alcohol, were determined according to the Official Newspaper of the European Communities 1990 [17]. Turbidity was measured with a turbidimeter (HACH 2100P) at 20°C. Total and free SO2 were measured by the aspiration/oxidation method, also known as Rankin’s method. Finally, determination of reducing sugar was by Fehling’s method. Pectin content was qualitatively determined with a Novo-Test® kit (Novozymes, Switzerland).

2.5. Colour Measurement

The colour of the white wine samples was measured with a colourimeter (HunterLab, model MiniScan XE Plus, Reston, VA, USA) after calibration with white and black glass standards. Colour was expressed as CIE coordinates of (lightness), (redness/greenness), and (yellowness/blueness) with illuminant D65 and observer 10° standardisation. Three replicate measurements were performed, and the results averaged. The colourimeter yielded , , and values [18, 19] that were converted into whiteness index (WI) values according to the expression . Parameters were also correlated with colour perception; chroma () and hue angle () polar coordinates were determined according to the equations and . Chroma () is the quantitative attribute of colourfulness that enables the characterisation of differences in the grey colour between samples exhibiting the same lightness for each hue. Hue (), regarded as the qualitative attribute of colour, is the parameter from which colours are traditionally defined, for example, reddish or yellowish. It is the attribute that specifically allows a colour to be differentiated from a grey colour with the same lightness.

2.6. Determination of Total Antioxidant Capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl Assay (DPPH)

Total antioxidant capacity was determined according to Fernández-Pachón et al. [20] with slight modifications. Total antioxidant capacity of the DPPH assay for the white wine samples was expressed in millimolar Trolox equivalents (mM TE mL−1).

2.7. Determination of Total Phenolic (TP) Content

Total phenolic content was determined by a spectrophotometer assay (Spectronic® 20 Genesys™, IL, USA) with Folin-Ciocalteau reagent (FC) in agreement with previous work [21]. The results were expressed as mg gallic acid (GA) mL−1 in white wine.

2.8. Determination of Flavonoid Content

Total flavonoids were measured by a modified colourimetric assay developed by Dini et al. 2010 [22]. Results were expressed as mg quercetin equivalents (QE) mL−1 in white wine.

2.9. Determination of Volatile Compounds
2.9.1. Sample Preparation

The solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method was used to extract analytes from the white wine. A 3-mL volume of white wine was placed in a 10-mL vial that was kept at 40°C for 15 min at 650 rpm agitation. A bipolar polydimethylsiloxane fibre, coated with Carbowax and divinylbenzene (PDMS/CW/DVB, Supelco), was then exposed to the vial headspace for 15 min. The SPME fibre was placed in the heated injection port of the gas chromatograph at 250°C. The volatile compounds were driven to the test chamber using a constant gas flow of 150 mL min−1 (air 100 mL min−1, nitrogen 50 mL min−1). White wine was measured by gas chromatography (GC).

2.10. Gas Chromatography (GC) Analysis

An Agilent Technologies gas chromatograph (model 6890N) with an autosampler (7683B series) was used to determine aromatic components. A 30-m long DB-wax capillary column with 0.25 mm internal diameter and 0.25 μm film was used. The carrier gas was hydrogen with 7.5 psi pressure, flow rate of 1.3 mL sec−1, and velocity of 37 cm sec−1. The injector temperature was 200°C, split 5 : 1, and the white wine volume was 0.2 μL. A flame ionisation detector (FID) was used at 250°C with a hydrogen flow rate of 40 mL min−1 and air flow rate of 450 mL min−1. The white wine was incubated for 1 min at 35°C followed by a two-part gradient from 35°C to 90°C with a ramp rate of 15°C min−1 and from 90°C to 190°C with a ramp rate of 40°C min−1. Finally, the temperature was maintained at 190°C for 3 min. Volatile compounds were identified with the NIST library while quantification was performed from the calibration curves of the respective standards in a solution prepared at different concentration levels.

2.11. Sensory Analysis

A panel of eight judges participated in the sensory evaluation (five men and three women between 28 and 54 year of age) from the Cooperativa Agrícola Pisquera Elqui Ltda. (CAPEL) Sensory Laboratory in Chile. All the panellists were trained according to ISO guidelines [23] and were familiar with the sensory evaluation of different types of wine.

Quantitative descriptive analysis was used to determine the differences in the sensory characteristics among HHP-treated and untreated wine samples. A round-table session was held to generate the vocabulary of sensory attributes [24] prior to the evaluation sessions. All the wine samples () were evaluated by every panellist. Nine attributes associated with wine appearance, odour, and taste were selected by consensus to describe the HHP-treated wines. Definitions and anchors of sensory attributes used in the descriptive analysis of HHP-treated wines are shown in Table 1. A continuous unstructured graphical scale was used by the panellists to evaluate the intensity of each sensory attribute. The scale was 10-cm long and vertically anchored at each end. The left side of each scale represented the lowest intensity of the sensory attribute while the right side was the highest intensity. Results were converted into numerical values (from 0 to 10 units) after the evaluation.

White wine tasting was carried out in a sensory laboratory with facilities satisfying the requirements of ISO standards [25]. For tasting, 20 mL of each white wine sample was coded with a three-digit random number and presented to the panellists. Along with the samples, a bottle of spring water was provided for palate cleansing after each sample. Wine sample assessment was duplicated.

2.12. Statistical Analysis

An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using Statgraphics Centurion XVI (Statistical Graphics Corp., Herndon, USA) which also detected significant differences among treatments. Significance testing was performed by Fisher’s test; differences were statistically significant when . Pearson’s correlation between instrumental and sensory data was also calculated.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Physicochemical Properties

Control white wine values were similar and comparable to those published in the literature [26]. White wine samples that were pressure-treated at 300 MPa, 400 MPa, and 500 MPa exhibited physicochemical properties similar to the control (untreated wine). Soluble solids (°Brix), pH, turbidity, tartaric acid, reducing sugar values, and degree of alcohol are shown in Table 2. The °Brix, pH, tartaric acid, and reducing sugar showed no significant changes when the pressure level and holding time increased. The degree of alcohol (% v/v) showed a significant difference; it increased for all the pressure levels and holding times when it was compared to the control; however, this difference was only small alcohol degrees (2-3°), which is especially advantageous because wines and other alcoholic beverages are commercialised and categorised by alcohol content. As to turbidity, an increase was observed in treated white wine at 500 MPa for 10 and 15 min as compared to the control. The greatest change in turbidity (149%) was observed after treatment with 500 MPa for 15 min. This increase in turbidity could be caused by residual pectin in the wine that coagulated and was not removed during final filtration. This was demonstrated by the qualitative assay of pectin shown in Figure 1.

Similar results for pH and tartaric acid (g L−1 wine) were reported by Kallithraka et al. [27] for white wine varieties. Lonvaud-Funel et al. [16] reported 3.93 pH for Sauternes white wine; Delfini et al. [15] reported 3.0 pH for the Barbera grape variety, and the same authors reported 3.4 pH for sparkling white wine treated by HHP at 600 MPa for 2 min.

Their results demonstrated that these parameters experienced little change as a result of applying HHP; this is similar to the results found in the present study (Table 2). The retention of the physicochemical properties of white wine despite the HHP treatment is advantageous because these properties might affect the product’s sensory quality.

Total SO2 (Table 3) was determined for two reasons, (a) to control its concentration (<200 mg/L for white wines) because wine consumption has been related to various allergic reactions in numerous individuals [28, 29] and (b) to monitor its concentration in wine during HHP treatments because SO2 has an antimicrobial and preservative effect on wine.

Free SO2 content increased 41%, 11%, and 62% for 300 MPa, 400 MPa, and 500 MPa at 15 min, respectively, as compared to the control (Table 3); furthermore, total SO2 increased 18%, 21%, and 33% at 300 MPa, 400 MPa, and 500 MPa at 15 min, respectively, as compared to the control one. Delfini et al. [15] reported total SO2 content from two wines, muscatel (64 mg L−1 and 102.4 mg L−1) and sparkling wine of the Asti variety (64 mg L−1); free and total SO2 content in white wine samples were within the range of values reported by these authors. Small amounts of sulphites can form naturally in wine during fermentation [30], but vintners commonly add 30–90 ppm of additional sulphites during production [31] to prevent spoilage and enhance the ageing potential [32]. High hydrostatic pressure could help the processing of the wine to reduce amount of SO2 added. Recently, the wine industry is challenged to meet consumers’ demands of reducing the amount of SO2 added to wine, especially since it has been associated with some health risks such as allergic reactions incurred by sulphite-sensitive individuals. The addition of SO2 is meant to behave as a preserver to inhibit the proliferation of yeast and prevent the undesirable aroma caused by oxidation reaction with the free acetaldehyde present in the wine [33]. However, HHP has demonstrated a strong antimicrobial effect decreasing the proliferation of yeast and preventing the oxidation reactions during storage that can be appreciated by keeping the original colour in the wine and improving both the aroma and the perception of the young white wine [4].

High hydrostatic pressure could help the wine industry to reduce SO2 levels. The increase of free and total SO2 content is because HHP can deprotonate charged groups to disrupt salt bridges and hydrophobic bonds in cellular membranes which can lead to higher permeability [34, 35]. Furthermore, SO2 from wine was significantly influenced () by the high-pressure treatment. The pressure equilibrium between the inside and outside of the cells could occur over a very short time. Under these circumstances, solvent diffusion speed is high and extraction yield can reach its highest value very rapidly [36].

3.2. Effect of HHP on Colour Parameters of White Wine

Colour is one of the most important properties of wine and provides considerable information about its overall quality. The evaluation of white wine chromatic characteristics during the HHP treatment is shown in Table 4. Some of the wine chromatic characteristics were not significantly () affected by HHP.

The lightness () value decreased when pressure increased, which indicates that HHP-treated wine samples were less bright than the control. The HHP-treated white wine had significantly higher (redness) and lower (yellowness) values than the control values (Table 4). These results were higher than the results from the UV-VIS irradiation-treated white wine reported by Falguera et al. [37], and they were lower than those reported by Gómez-Míguez et al. [38] for untreated white wines produced from grapes of the variety V. vinifera L. cv. Zalema. Hue angle and chroma are both related to human colour perception. Chroma is defined as the chromatic intensity compared to pure white. The HHP treatment led to a significant decrease in (chroma) value when compared to untreated wine. Hue is the colour attribute related to perceived colours, that is to say, red, yellow, green, blue, or a combination of these. In the present study, (hue angle, grade) parameter does not show any significant difference between HHP-treated and untreated white wine samples expressed in CIELAB units. Therefore, wine chromatic characteristics ( and ) changed slightly after applying HHP, but these changes could not be visually perceived because they were less than 5%.

3.3. Total Phenolic (TP) Content, Flavonoid Content, and Antioxidant Capacity (DPPH Assay)

Phenolic compounds are one of the most numerous and widely distributed substances of plant origin; they are therefore an integral part of the human diet. These compounds are also very important to define wine quality and contribute to organoleptic characteristics, including appearance, odour, and mouthfeel sensations [9].

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in white wine after the HHP treatment are shown in Table 5; there were no significant differences between the flavonoid content values of wines treated with HHP for all the pressures and times as compared to the control. TP content showed a significant difference at 300 MPa for 10 and 15 min, 400 MPa for 5 min with a decrease 7% and 14% and an increase of 5%, respectively, as compared to the control. These results confirm that HHP does not severely damage the phenolic content of white wines. A different effect was observed for the antioxidant capacity expressed as DPPH, which significantly increased in white wine treated at 300 MPa and 400 MPa for all the times, but it did not differ significantly with the control at 500 MPa. The observed decrease in DPPH levels can be associated with the generation of high-reactive radicals during pressurisation and increased polyphenol oxidation [39].

The values obtained in the present study are slightly lower than those found by Ferreira-Lima et al. [40] in Goethe white wines, Mitić et al. [41] in varieties of Serbian white wines, and Roussis et al. [42] in some Greek wines.

According to Le Chatelier’s principle, the volume of the system tends to be reduced during the pressure-promoting period. The extraction solvent enters cells and reacts with bioactive components in this process. It is accelerated because pressurised cells increased their permeability [43]. Sulphur dioxide is an effective antioxidant which may not only suppress several nonenzymatic oxidative reactions but can also convert the oxidation products back into the reduced forms in some cases [29]. Therefore, SO2 is likely to have a negative effect on the potential oxidation of phenolic compounds during HHP processing. In the present study, SO2 increased when pressure and time increased (Table 2), and it could affect the interaction between SO2 and phenolic compounds.

3.4. Semiquantitative Determination of Wine Volatile Compounds (Aromatic Profile Analysis)

The volatile compounds identified in white wine are shown in Table 6. The white wine under study had 25 volatile compounds of which 18 were below the quantification limit and only seven were detected, for example, alcohols, organic acids, esters, and aldehydes.

The young white wine aroma compounds mainly came from two sources, the grapes and the microorganisms from the fermentation stages (yeasts and lactic acid bacteria). They belong to different chemical families, such as esters, acids, terpenoids, phenols, alcohols, lactones, and aldehydes. They can be influenced by several factors, for example, factors related to vineyards, such as the phytosanitary product [44, 45], cover crops [46], neighbouring plants [47], presence of exogenous substances, such as smoke [48, 49], or those provided by oak extract treatments [5053].

Esters are the group of chemical compounds that are primarily responsible for wine aroma. A small fraction of esters come from the grapes, but the largest fraction is synthesised by yeast during alcoholic fermentation, which is then complemented by malolactic fermentation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Ester content in white wine accounted for approximately 65% to 76% of the total aroma fraction (Table 6). Ascetic esters of higher alcohols, such as ethyl acetate, were found in this chemical group. Of the total esters quantified in white wine, only 14% to 19% were acetates (Table 6), which are normally found in moderate quantities; however, they have intense, positive odours (banana, rose, acid drops, and apple) and contribute to the aromatic complexity of wines [50].

Ethyl esters, together with acetates, contribute to the typical floral and fruity aromas of young wines; they play an important role in the aroma; however, if their levels are below the 80 mg L−1 limit, they cause an unpleasant aroma. In spite of this, Martínez-Gil et al. [50] suggest that the wine bouquet is better when the ethyl acetate rate is lower, as is the case in the present study. This group of compounds is not homogeneous and depends on its own acid hydrolysis and chemical esterification [54].

Only a few aldehydes were detected in the wine samples, probably because they were reduced to alcohols during fermentation. They would not have influenced the wine’s aroma because their concentrations were always below the odour threshold (1.0 g L−1 white wine). It should be noted that HHP treatments seemed to increase aldehyde synthesis.

3.5. Sensory Analysis of HHP-Treated White Wine

The sensory properties were analysed to assess the organoleptic characteristics of the pressurised wines for aroma, colour, and taste. The influence of HHP on white wine sensory attributes and the results of the panellists’ scores are displayed in Figures 2, 3, and 4. The attributes related to white wine appearance were maintained () at the same level during pressurisation, including “colour” and “clarity” (Figure 2). Overall quality did not show a significant difference at 300 MPa for all times when comparing it to the control (untreated white wine), but it decreased significantly at 400 MPa and 500 MPa for all pressurisation times. The present study is supported by Mok et al. [14], who showed a similar result where no differences were measured in the aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and overall sensory quality between the HHP-treated sample at 350 MPa and the untreated sample and with .

The olfactory (odour) attributes that were significantly () affected by HHP included alcoholic odour, fruity odour, and odour defects (Figure 3). Alcoholic odours in white wine decreased significantly as pressure increased, with the exception at 400 MPa for 5 min. Fruity odours in white wine decreased significantly as pressure increased whereas the odour defects increased at 400 MPa and 500 MPa at all pressurisation times.

When comparing the astringent tastes of the different treated wine samples to the control, there was no significant difference with the control at 300 MPa and 400 MPa, but astringency increased significantly at 500 MPa at all the pressurisation times.

The intensity of the alcoholic taste (Figure 4) was not significantly different between the control and 300 MPa at the pressurisation times; however, it increased significantly at 400 MPa at all the pressurisation times when compared to the control. Alcoholic intensity at 500 MPa at all the pressurisation times decreased significantly when compared to the control one. The intensity of the fruity taste was significantly similar between the control and 300 MPa at all the pressurisation times, but white wine treated at 400 MPa and 500 MPa had a less fruity taste than the control sample.

To explore the relationships between the physicochemical and sensory attributes of HHP-treated wine samples, Pearson’s correlation was performed on the sensory and instrumental data to calculate the correlation coefficients (Table 7: HHP at 500 MPa for 15 min; other data not shown). The physicochemical parameters for the control sample, including tartaric acid (g L−1), reducing sugar (g L−1), degree of alcohol (% v/v), total phenols (mg AG ML−1), flavonoids (mg quercetin mL−1), and DPPH (mM TE mL−1), are strongly correlated with the three sensory parameters, alcoholic odours, clarity, and fruity taste; pH was significantly correlated with alcoholic taste, astringency, and odour defects. None of the physicochemical parameters, including soluble solids (°brix), turbidity (NTU), free SO2 (mg L−1), and total SO2 (mg L−1), showed significant correlations with the sensory parameters (attributes).

The physicochemical parameters for white wine treated at 300 MPa for 5 min, including soluble solids (°brix), pH, and free SO2 (mg L−1), were strongly correlated with the following five sensory parameters: alcoholic odours, alcoholic taste, astringency, overall quality, and odour defects. With the exception of turbidity (NTU) and DPPH (mM TE mL−1), they were significantly correlated with fruity odour and fruity taste. None of the physicochemical parameters, including tartaric acid (g L−1), reducing sugar (g L−1), alcohol degree (% v/v), total SO2 (mg L−1), total phenols (mg AG mL−1), and flavonoids (mg quercetin mL−1), showed significant correlations with the sensory parameters (attributes).

White wine treated at 300 MPa for 10 min showed a strong correlation between pH and the sensory parameters and total SO2 and the sensory parameters. There was also a strong correlation between free SO2 (mg L−1) and four sensory parameters (alcoholic taste, astringency, overall quality, and colour). The other physicochemical parameters were not correlated with the sensory parameters.

For white wine treated at 350 MPa for 15 min, there was only a strong correlation between free SO2 (mg L−1) and all the sensory parameters. None of the physicochemical parameters, including solids (°brix), pH, turbidity (NTU), tartaric acid (g L−1), reducing sugar (g L−1), alcohol degree (% v/v), total SO2 (mg L−1), total phenols (mg AG mL−1), flavonoids (mg quercetin mL−1), and DPPH (mM TE mL−1), were significantly correlated with the sensory parameters (attributes).

White wine treated at 400 MPa for 10 min showed a noticeable correlation only between the physicochemical parameters of total SO2 (mg L−1), free SO2 (mg L−1), and all the sensory parameters, with the exception of alcoholic odour and taste. Furthermore, white wine treated at 400 MPa for 10 min had a strong correlation among physicochemical parameters, including soluble solids (°brix), reducing sugar (g L−1), total SO2 (mg L−1), flavonoids (mg quercetin mL−1), and the sensory parameters of alcoholic odours and colour. The pH and free SO2 (mg L−1) had a strong correlation with the sensory parameters of astringency, clarity, and fruity taste. White wine treated at 400 MPa for 15 min had soluble solids (°brix) that were strongly correlated with alcoholic odour and odour defect. The tartaric acid (g L−1) parameter was strongly correlated with fruity odour while the free SO2 (mg L−1) parameter was also correlated with alcoholic taste, astringency, overall quality, clarity, and fruity taste. Total phenols (mg AG mL−1) were correlated with alcoholic odour, colour, and odour defect.

Finally, the treatment at 500 MPa for 15 min had a strong correlation between the physicochemical parameters of soluble solids (°brix), pH, and tartaric acid (g L−1) and the three sensory parameters of astringency, overall quality, and clarity. Turbidity (NTU), reducing sugar (g L−1), and the degree of alcohol (% v/v) also had a high correlation with fruity taste. None of the other physicochemical parameters exhibited any significant correlations with the sensory parameters (attributes).

Astringency is regarded as one of the most important organoleptic characteristics of wine. The astringency of HHP-treated wines was positively correlated with free SO2 at 300 MPa and 400 MPa for all the pressurisation times, with the exception at 300 MPa for 5 min that included soluble solid (°brix) and pH and 400 MPa for 5 min that included total SO2. It was positively correlated only with pH at 500 MPa for 15 min. Some important advantages when using this technology (HHP) in the wine industry are the inactivation of microorganisms and enzymes and quality retention, such as colour and flavour, which could help the wine industry reduces the SO2 levels to produce the same effect.

4. Conclusions

Overall, the results of this study indicated that the HHP treatment did not influence the physicochemical parameters of total phenols and flavonoids of white wine. However, the pressurisation at 300 MPa, 400 MPa, and 500 MPa for 15 min increased free and total SO2, as well as the contents of antioxidant capacity at 300 MPa for all the time and 400 MPa for 5 min and 10 min in white wine. Also it is important that the sensory attributes, such as taste, odour, and overall quality, were not affected by HHP processing at 300 MPa. The use of this technique has the potential to decrease the amount of SO2 added to raw grapes maintaining the same properties found in untreated wine. This enhances the process because of the problem associated with adding of SO2. The potential of HHP technology is huge for wine industries, and this study has shown that HHP treatment not only decreases the microbial load but also improves the organoleptic properties and makes imperceptible colour changes during the process. However, HHP use for wine conservation is only viable in the final stage of winemaking, replacing the addition of SO2 before bottling. Their use in previous winemaking stages may interfere with the natural fermentation process affecting the fungi, yeast, and the acid lactic bacteria present in the grapes. This study provided valuable insights into the biochemical and sensory composition of commercial white wine and how this might change during HHP processing.

Additional Points

Practical Applications. The high hydrostatic pressure is a technology that can contribute to the food industrial development as an alternative to thermal processing. It is an ecofriendly and a time-saving process that improves the stability of bioactive compounds and inhibits the microbiological activity to obtain safe food products by preventing undesirable changes in the sensory, physicochemical, and nutritional properties of foods.

Competing Interests

The authors declared no conflict of interests with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support for this research from the CONICYT Fondef Project no. D10I1170, CEAZA, Food Engineering Department of the Universidad de La Serena, and the Research Department of the Universidad de La Serena (DIULS).