Term for the separation of a mixture of substances by separating it into its individual components. The process is particularly suitable for substances that are chemically very similar and difficult to separate. The principle was first described by the Russian botanist Mikhail S. Tsvett in 1901 and named chromatography by him in 1906. Today, this is an indispensable method for isolating substances and for identifying and quantifying the ingredients of mixtures. There are various methods. In food chemistry, medicine, environmental analysis and biology, gas chromatography (GC), discovered in 1952 by S. C. James and A. Martin, is the preferred method. The method is suitable for vaporisable (liquid) and gaseous substances. The separation is based on the different boiling points of the substances and the video (click to view) shows the process.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography
HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) is a special form of liquid chromatography. Here it is not only possible to separate substances, but also to identify and quantify them using defined standards, i.e. to determine the exact concentration. In contrast to gas chromatography, which is a very good separation method for vaporisable substances, HPLC can also be used to analyse non-volatile substances. This means that the anthocyanin malvidin-3,5-diglucoside, which is typical of American grapes, can be analysed in wines.
Determination of various substances
Ion exchange chromatography is used to determine flavouring substances, the components of the total extract and sulphur dioxide. It can also be used to determine substances that cause wine defects, such as trichloroanisole (TCA), which is responsible for cork taint, and the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The quantities are expressed in ppm or g/l.
Further information
For the production of alcoholic beverages, see Champagne (sparkling wines), Distillation (distillates), Speciality wines, Spirits (types), Winemaking (wines and wine types) and Wine law (wine law issues).
Source video and graphics: TheSimpleClub Gmb
