Beverages Applications Notebook - Functional Waters/Drinks

Importance of Beverage Analysis

As the global beverage market expands to include vitamin-fortified waters, energy drinks and herbal supplements, the compositional quality and safety of liquid products must be rigorously monitored. Regulatory agencies require accurate labeling of vitamins, additives and potential contaminants. Beverage matrices pose analytical challenges due to the diversity of targets—from inorganic ions and organic acids to water- and fat-soluble vitamins, amino sugars, surfactants and pharmaceutical counter-ions.

Objectives and Study Overview

This notebook presents a portfolio of integrated analytical solutions for beverage testing: automated sample preparation; UHPLC, ion chromatography and on-line SPE; multiple detection modes (UV-PDA, pulsed amperometric, conductivity and MS); and data management. Three representative application studies demonstrate methods for:

• Determination of water- and fat-soluble vitamins by HPLC with UV-PDA detection
• Quantification of glucosamine in dietary supplements by HPAE-PAD
• Trace analysis of vitamin B12 in beverages via on-line SPE coupled with HPLC and UV detection

The content also details instrumentation, chromatographic columns and software tools supporting these workflows.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Thermo Scientific and Dionex offer a comprehensive lineup:

• UltiMate 3000 UHPLC+ systems (nano, analytical and RSLC) with up to 1000 bar capability, 100 Hz data rates and Viper connectors
• ICS-3000 reagent-free IC systems with eluent generation for anion and cation chromatography
• MSQ Plus single-quadrupole mass spectrometer for LC/MS and IC/MS with Chromeleon LC/MS software integration
• Chromeleon 7 CDS and eWorkflows for simplified, compliant data acquisition and reporting
• On-line process analytical systems for IC/LC monitoring in production environments
• Automated sample prep solutions: ASE 150/350 for accelerated solvent extraction, AutoTrace 280 for parallel SPE

Key Methods:

• Water- and Fat-Soluble Vitamins—An Acclaim PolarAdvantage II column (2.1×150 mm, 3 µm) separates B-complex and vitamins A, C, E in a single 25-min gradient from aqueous buffer to organic eluent. Detection at 210, 280 and 350 nm yields low ng/mL LOQs, good recoveries (93–119 %) and RSDs <1 % for most analytes.
• Glucosamine Analysis—High-performance anion-exchange (CarboPac PA20, 3×150 mm) with pulsed amperometric detection quantifies glucosamine (LOD ~0.09 µM) in tablets and beverages. Eluent generation ensures retention time precision <0.3 % over 700 injections. Method recovery is 93–102 % in complex matrices.
• Vitamin B12 in Beverages—A novel on-line SPE mode uses a guard-sized Acclaim PA2 cartridge to trap and partially separate cyanocobalamine, then transfers the fraction to an Acclaim PA2 analytical column for UV detection at 361 nm. Sub-ppb detection limits, 11-min run times and 91–109 % recoveries are achieved across multiple drink flavors.

Main Results and Discussion

Each method demonstrates robust performance in real samples: accurate label claim verification, efficient interference removal and high throughput. The vitamin assay resolves closely eluting acids and vitamins with dual detection wavelengths. The glucosamine method benefits from suppressor-free eluent generation and PAD specificity. The B12 SPE approach exploits a two-step valve scheme to exclude matrix interferences prior to chromatographic separation.

Benefits and Practical Applications

These integrated solutions deliver:

• Full automation—reduced hands-on time and operator variability
• High throughput—25–100 samples per day with on-line SPE and UHPLC
• MS-compatible mobile phases—for follow-up identity confirmation
• Comprehensive column selection—for reversed-phase, HILIC, mixed-mode, IC and biopolymer separations
• Compliance—controlled eWorkflows, audit trails and secure data storage

Future Trends and Applications

Emerging directions include deeper LC/MS integration for structural confirmation, real-time process analytics with continuous monitoring, advanced detection modes (e.g. multi-potential PAD), and AI-driven method optimization in Chromeleon. Novel stationary phases will expand the scope to new polarities and biopolymer targets, while miniaturized SPE and microflow UHPLC will further boost sensitivity and reduce solvent consumption.

Conclusion

Thermo Scientific and Dionex provide a unified platform combining sample preparation, high-performance chromatography and versatile detection for comprehensive beverage testing. The illustrated methods prove sensitive, reproducible and adaptable to a wide range of analytes—enabling efficient compliance, quality control and R&D workflows from lab to plant floor.

Used Instrumentation

• UltiMate 3000 UHPLC+ system: DGP-3600A pump, WPS-3000TSL autosampler, TCC-3200 column oven, PDA-3000 detector
• ICS-3000 RFIC system with EGC II KOH eluent generator and CR-ATC suppressor
• MSQ Plus single-quadrupole mass spectrometer
• ASE 150/350 Accelerated Solvent Extractors
• AutoTrace 280 SPE automation
• Acclaim PolarAdvantage II, CarboPac PA20, IonPac AS11, AS22, OmniPac PAX/PCX, ProPac SCX/WAX columns
• Chromeleon 7 CDS for instrument control and data management

Reference

1. Klimes, J. et al. Determination of Water- and Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Different Matrices using HPLC. Chem. Pap. 59 (2005) 202–222.
2. Margolis, S.A. et al. Measurement of Ascorbic Acid in Plasma and Serum. Clin. Chem. 42 (1996) 1257–1262.
3. Sharpless, K.E. et al. Determination of Vitamins in Food-Matrix SRMs. J. Chromatogr. A 881 (2000) 171–181.
4. Eberendu, A.R. et al. Quantitative Determination of Saccharides by IC-PAD. J. AOAC Int. 88 (2005) 998–1007.
5. Sun, Q.L.; Zhuang, S.Q. Determination of Vitamin B12 Using UPLC. Waters Application Summary, 2010.
6. U.S. EPA Method 300.0: Inorganic Anions by IC, 1997.
7. Dionex TN 73: Perfluorinated Acids by IC, 2008.