Biomass estimation and characterization of the nutrient components of thinned unripe grapes in China and the global grape industries

The biomass of thinned unripe grape (TUR) was investigated and estimated in China and the world. In addition, the physicochemical parameters, nutritional and functional components and antioxidant activity of nine TUR and ripe grape fruit (RGF) samples were determined and analyzed. The results showed that about 1695.75 kt TUR was produced in China and as much as 14436.16 kt worldwide, which was closely related to the fruit thinning time. The total sugar and protein contents of TUR were significantly lower than those of RGF (p < 0.05), while the organic acids (especially tartaric acid and malic acid) and crude fiber of TUR were significantly higher than those of RGF (p < 0.05). Moreover, the total polyphenol, flavonoid, tannin and flavan-3-ols contents of TUR were 4.2–13.5, 3.6–12.3, 4.3–62.8 and 1.5–7.6 times those of RGF, respectively. Meanwhile, the antioxidant capacity of TUR was significantly higher than that of RGF, as well (p < 0.05). This study aimed to conduct in-depth research into the nutritional characteristics of TUR, propose the targeted direction for their further investigation and then lay a theoretical foundation from which the research findings could be applied in practice.