Abstract

The evaluation of wine adulteration is often a cumbersome process not exempt from multiple difficulties. In this work, a valuable methodology to rapidly assess wine adulteration was used. Harnessing the ratio of Compton and Rayleigh scattering signals obtained in TXRF (total reflection X-ray fluorescence). The Compton/Rayleigh signal ratio as a sensitive way to estimate the average effective atomic number (Zeff) of a sample was used. Thus, any addition made into the wine, would cause a change in its Zeff which could be detected by TXRF. Non-adulterated and adulterated wines were selected and its Zeff was estimated. The method was developed using X-ray excitation Molybdenum tube. Deconvolution of independent Compton and Rayleigh signals was performed by non-Gaussian and Gaussian curve resolution methods, and the area ratio was evaluated. A calibration curve for Compton/ Rayleigh signal ratio versus Zeff was established and wine adulterated samples were tested in a Zeff range between 4.3 and 7.2. Wine adulteration was detected in all cases. The method is simple, fast, sensitive, precise and nondestructive. It procedure is usefulness as an important tool for wine industry and for the maintenance of origin and quality of wines.