Organic Acids in White Wine on a Thermo Scientific™ Acclaim™ Organic Acid (OA) Column

Importance of the Topic

The profile of organic acids defines the sensory attributes of white wine, contributing to its characteristic tartness and balance. Accurate determination of these acids is essential for quality control, flavor optimization and regulatory compliance in the wine industry.

Study Objectives and Overview

This study outlines a robust chromatographic approach to separate and quantify five key organic acids in white wine: tartaric, malic, lactic, citric and succinic acids. A cleanup procedure using Dionex OnGuard II P cartridges removes pigment interferences prior to analysis. The focus is on demonstrating the performance of the Thermo Scientific Acclaim Organic Acid (OA) column under optimized conditions.

Instrumentation

• Chromatographic Column: Thermo Scientific Acclaim OA, 4 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm particle size
• Mobile Phase: 0.1 M sodium sulfate, pH 2.68 adjusted with methanesulfonic acid
• Column Temperature: 30 °C
• Flow Rate: 0.6 mL/min
• Injection Volume: 5 μL
• Detection: UV at 210 nm
• Sample Preparation: Thermo Scientific Dionex OnGuard II P cartridge for pigment removal

Main Results and Discussion

The method achieved baseline resolution of all five organic acids within 15 minutes. The Dionex OnGuard II P cleanup effectively eliminated anthocyanin pigments, preventing matrix interferences and ensuring clear late-eluting regions. The Acclaim OA column demonstrated consistent peak shape and retention time reproducibility, confirming its suitability for routine analysis.

Method Benefits and Practical Applications

• Rapid and precise quantification of key organic acids in white wine matrices
• Simplified sample cleanup workflow compatible with high-throughput laboratories
• Robust column performance with minimal maintenance requirements
• Enhanced data quality by reducing pigment-related interferences

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advancements may include coupling this chromatographic setup with mass spectrometric detection to improve sensitivity and selectivity. Automation of sample cleanup and development of miniaturized column formats could further increase throughput and reduce solvent consumption. Additionally, profiling minor organic acids may support wine authenticity studies and metabolomic research.

Conclusion

The presented HPLC method on the Thermo Scientific Acclaim OA column provides a reliable, efficient solution for analyzing major organic acids in white wine. Its straightforward sample preparation and robust chromatographic performance make it highly suitable for quality control and research applications.

References

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Application Note 20024, Organic Acids in White Wine on a Thermo Scientific Acclaim Organic Acid Column, 2009.