Multielement Determination and Lead Isotope Ratio Measurement in Alcoholic Beverages by High–Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

The analytical performance of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the inorganic analysis of alcoholic beverages was evaluated using double-focusing sector field ICP-MS (ICP-SMS). No sample pre-treatment other than acidification and dilution was carried out. Though aspiration of ethanol-containing solutions into the ICP caused significant matrix effects, accurate results could be obtained by using matrix-matched blanks and standards. Method detection limits reach the fg mL−1range for elements with high m/z ratios which makes the technique especially useful for determination of such low-abundant elements as REE, actinide elements, etc., in this sample type. Between-run reproducibility better than 10% RSD was found for the majority of the elements even at ultra-trace concentrations. The precision in lead isotope ratio measurements is superior to that obtained with quadrupole systems (ICP-QMS) and an uncertainty of about 0.06% RSD can be routinely obtained. Measured ratios for wines of European origin are in good agreement with previously published results obtained by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). The robustness of the analytical procedure was tested by analysis of a wide range of alcoholic beverages from the Swedish market. Average elemental concentrations found in wines, whiskies and spiced strong aperitifs are also given.