Fast detection of anionic components in sugar and wine samples using a novel device based on capillary zone electrophoresis

The quality of sugar and wine are dependent on the processing steps that are involved to remove extraneous components of starting materials, sugar canes, sugar beets and grapes. Many of the residual components present in the final product such as organic acids (malate, oxalate, formate, acetate, pyroglutamate, etc.) and inorganic ions (nitrate, nitrite, chloride, sulfate, sodium, potassium, calcium, etc.) may influence on the quality. There is a need for the development of new devices that can detect these multiple species in near-real time so that each of the processing steps can be monitored effectively. Preliminary data are presented here on the applicability of such a near real-time detection device that is based on the principles of capillary zone electrophoresis to monitor organic acid and anionic impurities in white sugar and wine samples at concentration levels that are required to meet national and international standards. Applicability of this device to monitor water pollutants is also discussed.