Multivariate analysis of Scotch whisky by total reflection X-ray fluorescence and chemometric methods: a potential tool in the identification of counterfeits.

Shand, Charles A.; Wendler, Renate; Dawson, Lorna; Yates, Kyari; Stephenson, Hayleigh

Abstract

Most methods used in the identification of counterfeit whisky have focused on the profiling of volatile organic congeners determined by gas chromatography. We tested the use of total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF) for trace element analysis of whisky and application of the data as a potential tool in the identification of counterfeit samples. Twenty five whiskies that were produced in different regions of Scotland or were blends, 5 counterfeit whiskies, 1 unmatured grain whisky, and 1 matured grain whisky were analysed for 11 elements (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br and Rb). The effect of cold plasma ashing with oxygen on whisky residues evaporated on the TXRF reflector on the instrument performance was investigated. Cold plasma ashing with oxygen reduced beam scatter and improved the limits of detection but was ultimately deemed unnecessary. The element concentration data for whisky obtained by TXRF (after log transformation) was compared with the values obtained by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy and showed correlation values (R2) - 0.942 for K, Mn and Cu: - 0.800 for Ca, Fe and Rb; and - 0.535 for P, S and Zn. The range of concentration values for individual elements was variable and principal components analysis of the elemental concentrations partially differentiated the whiskies by region but showed clear separation of the counterfeit samples from the other samples. Using the principal component scores of the elemental concentration data, linear discriminant analysis also distinguished the counterfeits from the other samples.

Citation

SHAND, C.A., WENDLER, R., DAWSON, L., YATES, K. and STEPHENSON, H. 2017. Multivariate analysis of Scotch whisky by total reflection X-ray fluorescence and chemometric methods: a potential tool in the identification of counterfeits. Analytica chimica acta [online], 976, pages 14-24. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2017.04.041

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 20, 2017
• Online Publication Date: May 6, 2017
• Publication Date: Jul 11, 2017
• Deposit Date: May 15, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: May 7, 2018
• Journal: Analytica chimica acta
• Print ISSN: 0003-2670
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-4324
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 946
• Pages: 14-24
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2017.04.041
• Keywords: Counterfeit; Plasma ashing; Trace elements; Whisky; X-ray fluorescence
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2305