Aglianico grape pomace as a source of antioxidant and anti-proliferative biomolecules: Eco-friendly extraction and HRMS/MS-based molecular networking

Grape pomace (GP), a by-product of the wine supply chain process, contains bioactive molecules with known healthy properties. This study examines the impact of different extraction techniques on three GPs of Aglianico cultivar [Cantine del Notaio, Barile, and Torrecuso]. Five eco-friendly extractive techniques [maceration (MAC), digestion (DIG), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), microwaves (MW), and ultrasound (US)] were used with 50 % ethanol/water as solvent. Spectrophotometric assays showed that DIG and ASE extracts had the highest antioxidant activity and specialized metabolite content. Using the HRMS/MS-based molecular networking, DIG and ASE extract metabolome profiles were analyzed, identifying unknown compounds and known ones with validated antioxidant and chemopreventive effects. In vitro cell-based assay on HepG2 cells demonstrated that Barile GP DIG extract has the highest anti-proliferative activity. Hence, this work provides insight into the potential application of Barile GP DIG extract as a rich source of specialized metabolites with antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity.