Determination of polyphenols in wines by liquid chromatography with UV spectrophotometric detection

This paper describes a new chromatographic method for the determination of polyphenolic compounds in wines. The method is based on the separation of analytes by reversed-phase mode in a C18 column (2.6 mu m particle size) and UV absorption spectroscopy. The elution gradient is generated from 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile as an organic modifier. Experimental conditions including pH, percentage of organic modifier and elution gradient profile have been thoroughly optimized using experimental design. A multi-objective function has been defined as a criterion for obtaining a satisfactory compromise among number of compounds separated, resolution and analysis time. Multi-detection at 280, 310 and 370 nm has been utilized in order to work under the most appropriate wavelengths for each compound. Figures of merit including linearity ranges, precisions, detection limits and recoveries have been established under selected experimental conditions using synthetic standards and commercial red wines. The method has been applied to analyze red wines from various Spanish regions.