Beverages Applications Notebook - Additives in Beverages

Significance of Topic

The beverage industry relies on accurate, fast and sensitive analytical methods to ensure product quality, safety and regulatory compliance. From simple soft drinks to vitamin‐fortified waters, the compositional complexity and the variety of additives (colorants, preservatives, sweeteners, vitamins, organic acids, trace ions) require integrated solutions that cover sample preparation, separation, detection and data management.

Objectives and Overview

This notebook presents an integrated portfolio of analytical technologies from Thermo Scientific Dionex for beverage additive analysis. It describes state‐of‐the‐art liquid chromatography (conventional LC, UHPLC, nano and rapid separation LC), ion chromatography (IC and reagent‐free IC), mass spectrometry (MS), process analytical systems, software and automated sample preparation. It also illustrates application notes covering key analytes in beverages and related products.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Sample Preparation: Accelerated solvent extraction, SPE with Dionex AutoTrace and ASE systems, on‐line IC sampling and automated buffers.
• Separation Platforms: UltiMate 3000 UHPLC+ (flow rates from 20 nL/min to 10 mL/min; pressures up to 1000 bar; nano, capillary, micro and preparative scales).
• Ion Chromatography: ICS‐2000 and ICS‐5000 series with RFIC technology for anion, cation, hydroxide elution and suppressor regeneration.
• Mass Spectrometry: MSQ Plus single quadrupole MS and TSQ Quantum Access MAX triple quadrupole for LC/MS and IC/MS coupling.
• Data Systems: Chromeleon 7 software with eWorkflows, wellness diagnostics, single‐point control for LC/MS and process analytical applications.
• Columns: Wide selection of ion exchange, reversed‐phase, mixed‐mode and carbohydrate columns; specialty phases for vitamins, surfactants, explosives, biomolecules.

Main Results and Discussion

Multiple application examples demonstrate method performance:

• Sulfite in foods and beverages by ion exclusion chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection: stable electrode response, MDL ≈ 40 µg/L, recoveries around 100%.
• Benzoate in liquid foods by reagent‐free IC: LOD of 4.9 µg/L, high sample throughput and simple mobile phase generation.
• Steviol and mogroside V sweeteners by HPLC with UV and charged aerosol detection on mixed‐mode and Trinity P1 columns: low UV absorption compensated by ELS detection, calibration linearity with r² > 0.997, recoveries 90–104%.
• Fast HPLC dye analysis with Acclaim PA2 column: ten artificial food colors separated in < 5 min, UV detection at 254 nm, rapid identification of permitted and banned dyes in beverages and gelatin.
• Simultaneous UHPLC‐MS/MS of water‐soluble vitamins: single‐run SRM method for B‐vitamins and ascorbic acid with LODs in low ppb, sample‐preparation stratified by concentration levels, interday RSD < 10%, spiked recoveries 85–104%.
• On‐line and process‐analytical systems: IC/HPLC analyzers for real‐time monitoring on the factory floor, Chromeleon PA software for automated control and data management.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Reduced solvent consumption and waste through UHPLC and 2.1 mm column formats.
• Higher throughput with rapid separation LC and automated sample preparation.
• Improved detection sensitivity and selectivity via pulsed amperometry, ELS and MS/MS.
• Simplified operation and compliance through reagent‐free IC and integrated data workflows.
• Flexible column selection covering inorganic ions, organic acids, surfactants, vitamins, dyes, sugar substitutes, biomarkers and specialty analytes.

Future Trends and Applications

The beverage analytics field will continue to benefit from integration of chromatography, mass spectrometry and process control. Trends include:

• Greater automation and on‐line monitoring for continuous process analytics (PAT).
• Smaller footprint UHPLC and IC systems for decentralized QC labs.
• Advanced detection modes such as high‐resolution MS and charged aerosol with enhanced dynamic range.
• AI‐powered data analysis and predictive quality control.
• New column chemistries for complex matrices (e.g., plant extracts, novel sweeteners, nutraceuticals).

Conclusion

The Thermo Scientific Dionex portfolio provides end‐to‐end solutions for beverage additive analysis, from automated sample preparation to integrated UHPLC, IC and MS detection. Combined with comprehensive data software and specialized column chemistries, this platform supports high‐sensitivity, high‐throughput and compliant methods for a wide range of beverage quality and safety applications.

References

1. AOAC Official Methods; Cunniff, P., Ed.; AOAC Int., 1995.
2. Kim & Kim, Foods 99, 990.31 Method; J. Chromatogr. 1990.
3. JECFA Monographs 5, 2008; Steviol glycosides analysis.
4. US FDA GRAS Response Letters, GRN 000252/000253, 2008.
5. Dionex Application Notes: AN216, LPN2145; AN293, LPN2976; AN184, LPN2977.