Lead Distribution in Grape Berries

¹ Centre de Formation et de Recherche en Oenologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montpellier I, Av. Charles Flahault, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 1, France
² Laboratoire de Viticulture, Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie de Montpellier, 9 Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier Cedex, France

Lead distribution in the outer part of the skin and in the three main parts of grape berry (skin, pulp, and seeds) was determined in different grape varieties in 33 locations of different geological origins (uranium-bearing, acid, and limestone soils). No lead assumed to be of atmospheric origin was found on the outsides of berries in 19 of the 33 plots. External lead in the remaining 14 plots formed 16.3% of total berry lead. Internal berry lead, assumed to be of soil origin, fluctuated between 27 and 127 µg/kg with an average of 58 µg/kg. The assumption correlated well with the average soil lead contents at each location. The different berry parts displayed considerable variation in lead concentrations: 352 µg/kg in seed, 90 µg/kg in skin, and 31 µg/kg in pulp. The findings enable better evaluation of the fate of lead in grape berries during winemaking.

Key words: external lead, internal lead, skin, pulp, seeds

Submitted on January 4, 1993