Comparative study of two chromatographic methods for quantifying 2,4,6-trichloranisole in wines

Here we present the validation and the comparative study of two chromatographic methods for quantifying 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) in wines (red, rosé and white wines). The first method involves headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (ECD). The evaluation of the performance parameters shows limit of detection of 0.3 ng l(-1), limit of quantification of 1.0 ng l(-1), recoveries around 100% and repeatability of 10%. The second one implies a headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. The performance parameters of this second method are limit of detection of 0.2 ng l(-1), limit of quantification of 0.8 ng l(-1) and repeatability of 10.1%. From the comparative study we can state that both methods provide similar results and the differences between them are the better sensitivity of the GC-ECD method and the very shorter chromatogram running time of the GC-MS method. The two methods are able to quantify TCA below the sensorial threshold in red, rosé and white wines using just a calibration graph, thus they could be a very good tool for quality control in wineries.