Examination of Radioactivity and Presence of Additives in Wine From Tikves Region

Abstract

In Republic of North Macedonia, the production of grapes and wine has been known since ancient times. Many grape varieties are grown in this region, but one of the most important and largest regions for wine production is the Tikveš region. The aim of the research was to determine the presence of natural radionuclides, as well as total and free SO 2 that are added as additives in wine during its production. The analyses were performed by gamma spectrometry and the obtained spectra were analyzed by the GENIE 2000 programme. The sulfites were determined using OIV accredited methods after prior validation and verification. The results show that 40K is present in all wine brands with a larger size than the other radionuclides observed. 40K levels ranged from low 24.15 ± 2.30 to 38.22 ± 1.50 Bq/L for white wines and 16.28 ± 3.20 to 22.80 ± 3.50 Bq/L for red. As for sulfites, differences can be noticed in terms of the content of total and free SO 2 in all examined wines. Regarding red wines, the lowest value for the content of both total and free SO 2 is observed in Merlot wine (free SO 2 = 10.20 ± 0.54mg/L and total SO 2 = 51.79 ± 0.55mg/L) and in terms of white wines, the lowest content of total and free SO 2 is observed in Muscat Ottonel wine (free SO 2 = 6.84 ± 0.36mg/L and total SO 2 = 40.24 ± 0.43mg/L).