Determination of Metallic Cations in Wines by Flow Injection Analysis

Four flow-injection manifolds were developed aiming to automate the determination of metallic cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) in wines using atomic absorption (AAS) and flame emission (FES) spectrometry as detection processes. Good agreement was obtained between the results of FIA methods and by the reference methods, in which samples are prepared in a discrete manner and then introduced into the detection system. The FIA methods developed present good quality results (relative standard deviation between 0.57% and 1.4%) with high sampling rates (180 to 360 samples per hour) and a low reagent consumption.