Mineral profile of “fino” wines using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry methods

Fifty wines from the Denomination of origin (DO) of Condado de Huelva were analysed for mineral content by measuring 12 elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr and Zn) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Samples were previously digested by heating with H₂O₂/HNO₃ mixture. The results obtained showed that metal data set were non-normally distributed and accordingly, non-parametric statistics were applied. The average levels (medians) of these elements found in the samples are as follows, in mg/L: 2.54 (Al); 0.06 (Ba); 82.58 (Ca); 0.21 (Cu); 3.53 (Fe); 865.34 (K); 68.87 (Mg); 0.71 (Mn); 32.77 (Na); 71.61 (P); 0.48 (Sr); 0.56 (Zn). The interrelation of metal couples was studied through the Spearman non-parametric sample correlation, being Fe/Al, P/Mg, and Zn/Ba the most important correlations established. As a result of this study, we can suggest that the contribution to the safety intake limits (per week) of the studied elements through the wine consumption is not significant. Actually, they range between 0.1% in Fe and 11.9% in Mg, for normal drinkers.