Analysis of heterocyclic aromatic amines in wine by high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS-MS) was used for the analysis of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in 25 wines from various regions. In 24 wines under study HAAs were detected in the low ng/l range. 2-Amino-3,4-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeA alpha C) were found to be the most widely distributed HAAs in the wines under study. There was a difference in the presence of HAAs in white and red wines. In the latter, higher concentrations were found, with MeA alpha C in amounts ranging from <7.5 to 107 ng/l. Compared to the quantities of HAAs evaluated in meat and meat products, the amounts found in wines are 100-1000-fold lower. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.