Abstract

Determination of ion species within commercial beverages utilizing fast ion chromatography

Author(s): Ronald Bartzatt, Breanna Thompson, John McNelly

Ion species present in various popular commercial beverages were successfully determined by ion chromatography. Ions identified with solvent conditions utilized included Na+, H4 +, K+, Ca2+,Mg2+, PO4 3-, SO4 2-, and Cl1-. Beverages analyzed included popular types of wheat beer, non-wheat beer, mescato white wine, concord grape red wine, green tea, herbal tea, vitamin waters, fruit juices (ie. cranberry, orange pineapple, etc) and various flavored waters. All samples were injected without dilution but clarified and kept sterile. The solvent system utilized here successfully separated ions fromaliquot injected without problems within the column and conductivity detector.All alcoholic beverages showed Cl1,Mg2+, Ca2+ and K+;withwheat beer and mescato white wine showing these ions as well as both Na+ and NH4 +. Flavored waters (ie. cherry, tangerine lime, strawberry) showed various cations and anions with significant variation of quantity and types. Likewise, commercial teas and fruit juices showed substantial variations in types and quantities of ionic species detected. Several example ion chromatograms are presented and show clearly the overall excellent resolution of species peaks obtained with this solvent system and instrument parameters. Therefore a broad variety of commercial beverages were analyzed by ion chromatography producing well elucidated chromatogram peaks and identification of cations and anions important in nutrition. These parameters should allow effective analysis of a broad assortment of food products for nutrition appraisal.