Authenticity screening of seized whiskey samples using electrophoresis microchips coupled with contactless conductivity detection

Abstract

This report describes for the first time the use of microchip electrophoresis (ME) devices integrated with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C D) to investigate the authenticity of seized whiskey samples, which were probably adulterated by simple dilution with tap water. The proposed microfluidic platform was explored for the monitoring of anionic species (Cl and F ) in both original and tampered samples. The best separations were achieved within 70 s using a running buffer composed of lactic acid and histidine (pH = 5.9). ME-C D devices were used to analyze samples from three different brands (five samples each). Based on the presence of inorganic anions like Cl , F , SO and NO in different amounts, the authenticity of seized whiskeys was compared to original samples. According to the reported data, the proposed microfluidic platform can be useful to help regulatory authorities in the investigation and monitoring of authenticity of commercialized whiskey beverages.

Recent advances in the application of capillary electromigration methods for food analysis and Foodomics

“…Another example of the use of MCE to ensure the food safety and quality was reported by Rezende et al. . Authors developed a MCE method coupled to C 4 D, a powerful analytical platform for the analysis of ionic species in beverages, for the study of the authenticity of seized whiskey samples, that probably could be adulterated by the addition of tap water.…”

Separation of carbohydrates on electrophoresis microchips with controlled electrolysis

“…For C 4 D, two pairs of tantalum electrodes (200 μm wide and 500 μm length spaced by 250 μm) were positioned at 70 mm from channel intersection. Additional details about microchips and electrodes configuration can be found elsewhere . The electrokinetic control and data acquisition were performed using, respectively, the programs eDAQ Sequencer (v1.3.3) and Power Chrom (v2.7.9).…”

Contactless conductivity detection for analytical techniques: Developments from 2016 to 2018

“…Hydrodynamic injection ensured bias‐free and repeatable injections, simple instrumentation, and portability and required only minimal alterations during the microchip fabrication process. MCE‐C 4 D was further applied in the analysis of food products for determination of dipeptides (carnosine and anserine) in poultry meat and of inorganic anions (Cl − and F − ) in whiskey samples for authenticity screening . Application of on‐chip ITP with C 4 D was also demonstrated in multichannel networks for determination of amino acids .…”