| Abstract: | The need for quick and specific assay of carboxylic acids in wine and non-fermented beverages is explained. The method developed in this work is based on high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) followed by densitometric evaluation. Untreated samples, with the exception of red wines which were destained, were directly sprayed onto the cellulose layer. The chromatogram was developed with ethyl acetate-toluene-water-formic acid 60:20:20:15, then stained with xylose-aniline reagent. Densitometric scanning is by absorbance at 546 nm. The method is quick, sensitive, and has a wide dynamic range for the acids analyzed. |
