EXAMINATION OF AUTHENTIC GRAPE JUICES FOR 
METHYL ANTHRANILATE* 
By Frederick B. Power, Chemist in Charge , and Victor K. Chesnut, Assistant 
Chemist , Phytochemical Laboratory, Bureau of Chemistry , United States Department of 
Agriculture 
In a preliminary communication by the present authors 3 attention was 
directed to the occurrence of methyl anthranilate in grape juice, and it was 
then observed that this compound is contained to the largest extent in 
juices of the Concord type, although the quantity present in a number 
of other varieties was sufficient to permit of detection by the delicate 
test employed. 3 Through the kind cooperation of Dr. J. S. Caldwell, of 
the Bureau of Plant Industry, United States Department of Agriculture, 
we have been provided with a large number of samples of genuine grape 
juices which were prepared from definite varieties of the fruit and in 
different sections of the country. It has thus been made possible for us 
to obtain further information respecting the distribution of methyl 
anthranilate in grapes of different botanical origin. 
The grape is preeminently a North American plant, for among the 
number of species of the genus Vitis found in the world, which is generally 
considered by botanists to range from 40 to 60, 4 more than half are natives 
of this continent. The number of varieties of the grape described in 
American viticultural literature is said to be more than 2,000, while twice 
as many more are mentioned in European treatises on the vine. 
Inasmuch as the principal object of the present investigation was to 
determine whether methyl anthranilate is a common constituent of the 
grape or whether its occurrence is restricted to certain distinct species 
of the genus Vitis, or the varieties derived therefrom by cultivation, 
consideration may first be given to the recognized botanical origin of 
the grapes examined, which are designated by their popular names. 
A very complete elucidation of the subject of American grapes is con¬ 
tained in a work by U. P. Hedrick, 5 to whom we are indebted for much 
of the information concerning the botanical relationships of the numerous 
varieties of grapes used in the present investigation. Hedrick 6 has also 
published a smaller and more recent work on this subject. 
In the classification of grapes a primary distinction is made between 
those of the Old World and those of the New World, and it has been noted 
that the grape is probably influenced to a greater degree by soil, climate, 
and culture than any other fruit. In the Old World a single species of 
1 Accepted for publication Aug. 12. 1922. 
2 Power, Frederick B. f and Chesnut, Victor K. the occurrence of methyl anthranilate in grape 
juice. In Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., v. 43, p. 1741-1742. 1921. 
3 Power, Frederick B. the detection of methyl anthranilate in fruit juices. In Join. Amer. 
Chem. Soc., v. 43, p. 377-381. 1921. Bibliographical footnotes. 
4 In Index Kewensis, pt. 4 and sup. 1-5. Oxford. 1895, 1901-15, several hundred species of Vitis are enu¬ 
merated, but, as stated by Hedrick, 5 the number depends upon the arbitrary limits Set for a species and 
our knowledge of the genus is as yet too meager to set these limits with certainty. 
5 Hedrick, U. P. the grapes of new york. xv, 564 p., 101 col. pi., 1 port. Albany. 1908. Bibliog¬ 
raphy and references, p. 531-536. (N. Y. Agr. Exp. Sta. Rpt. 1907, pt. 2.) 
• Hedrick, U. P. manual of American grape-growing, xiii, 458 p., 54 fig., 32 pi. 1919. 
Journal of Agricultural Research, 
Washington, D. C. 
acc 
Vol. XXIII, No. 1 
Jan. 6, 1923 
Key No. E-18 
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