R. Ertan Anli

Biogenic Amines in Wines

Biogenic amines are low molecular weight organic compounds that occur in fermented foods and are produced mainly through the microbial decarboxylation of amino acids. Decarboxylation of several amino acids can form some biogenic amines in wines such as histamine, tyramine, putrescine, and phenylethylamine. Biogenic amines can cause direct or indirect toxicity when their concentrations are high in food. The enological importance of the biogenic amines in wines is due to their possible toxicological risks and the possibility of the relationship between high amine content and unsanitary conditions during wine production. Various analytical techniques have been developed for the determination of biogenic amines in wines. In this article, the presence, the formation, the microorganisms and the methods of determination of biogenic amines in wine and other fermented foods are reviewed.

Antioxidant phenolic substances of Turkish red wines from different wine regions.

In this study, five biologically phenolic antioxidant Turkish red wines from different regions of Turkey were determined using HPLC with PDA detection. The antioxidant capacities (AC) of the investigated wines are also determined and the relationship between the phenol content and antioxidant capacity is discussed. The results show that Kalecik Karası, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon AC values ranged between 15.8-18.7 mmol/L, 15.8-17.6 mmol/L and 18.1-22.6 mmol/L, respectively. Generally, Cabernet Sauvignon wines not only had higher levels of phenolic antioxidants, such as catechin, epicatechin and gallic acid, but also higher antioxidant capacities compared to Kalecik Karası and Merlot wines. When the results were compared on the basis of geographical area, Aegean red wines were found to contain generally higher levels of biologically important phenolics and thus to have more antioxidant capacity compared to the wines of the other regions studied.

Traditional Aniseed-Flavored Spirit Drinks

Aniseed spirits are produced by the distillation of pressed fermented grapes, dregs and other fermented raw materials, flavored with aniseed (Pimpinella anisum L), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and/or some other plants. All round the Mediterranean basin, there are other similar aniseed spirit drinks such as pastis (France), anesone (Spain), sambuca (Italy), zebib (Egypt), and arak (Syria). However, there are some differences between the production processes of these spirits and their traditional use in Mediterranean culinary cultures. Raki and ouzo appear to be more similar than the others, just like brothers from the two shores of the Aegean Sea. Turkish raki is a type of traditional aniseed spirit produced by double distillation with aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) of only suma or suma and agricultural based ethanol mixture in different areas of Turkey. Ouzo can be defined as a distillation product of a mixture consisting of ethanol, anise, and other flavorful seeds, with sugar. The amounts and the repartition of the alcoholic fermentation products (fusel alcohols, esters, and aldehydes) are mainly responsible for the flavors and quality of the aniseed spirit. In this review article, Turkish raki, Greek ouzo and some different aniseed spirits were compared in their traditional, cultural roles and in their chemical and analytical structure.