Metallic profiles of Sherry brandies

Twelve elements, namely, aluminium, arsenic, calcium, cadmium, copper, iron , lead, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc were determined in 20 samples of Sherry brandies by applying atomic spectrometry techniques. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used for quantification of calcium , copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc; atomic emission spectrometry for potassium and sodium determination; hydride generation atomic absorpti on spectrometry for arsenic quantification; and graphite furnace atomic abs orption spectrometry for aluminium, cadmium and lead analysis. In all cases , metal contents (Zn, Cu, As and Pb) met the guidelines established by the Spanish regulations. The content of these metals was lower than in Sherry w ines, with the exception of Cu and Na. The content of Ca and K increased wi th brandy aging. As a result of this study of the metallic profiles of Sher ry wines and Sherry brandies, and due to the minor consumption of the latte r drink, we can suggest that they make no significant contribution to the t otal intake of these elements for normal drinkers.