Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of wines

Abstract

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) procedure has been developed for the determination of major elements, such as Mg, Na, K, Ca and Fe, minor elements, such as Al, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, Br and Rb, and trace elements, such as Li, Ti, Ni, As, I, Ba, Pb, Sc, V, Co, Y, Zr, Mo, Sn, Cs, Ga, Nb, Pd, Cd, Sb, Hf, W, Hg, Tl, Th and U, in wines. The results obtained for Na, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Rb and Cs were compared with those found by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Two ICP-MS calibration methodologies were used and results evaluated from spike recovery studies from which an average recovery of 102±20% was found for quantitative mode measurements. Multi-determination, using Be, Ge, In and Bi for the calibration of the ICP-MS sensitivity in the whole mass range and Rh as the internal standard, provided fast and accurate results, whereas the quantitative mode, using a series of external standard solutions, needs more time and consumes more reagent.