Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of wines

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) procedure has been developed for the determination of major elements, such as Mg, Na, K, Ca a nd Fe, minor elements, such as Al, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, Br and Rb, and t race 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 obt ained for Na, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Rb and Cs;were compared with those fo und by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Two ICP-MS calibration methodolog ies were used and results evaluated from spike recovery studies from which an average recovery of 102 +/- 20%was found for quantitative mode measureme nts. Multi-determination, using Be, Ge, In and Bi for the calibration of th e ICP-MS sensitivity in the whole mass range and Rh as the internal standar d, provided fast and accurate results, whereas the quantitative mode, using a series of external standard solutions, needs more time and consumes more reagent.