Pulse voltammetry wine defects identification by means of miniaturized microelectrodes

Pulse voltammetry was employed to discriminate among different concentrations of defects in wine. The microelectrodes were fabricated as patterned platinum thin films on silicon wafers by means of silicon fabrication technology. The film pattern was as interdigitated fingers having a 2 mu m fingers gap and active area of 100 x 100 mu m(2); a silicon nitride passivation permits a selective exposure of microelectrodes to electrolyte. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the current responses indicated that concentrations of acetaldehyde and L-ascorbic acid could be discriminated in a white wine electrolyte. Finally the capability of defects concentrations detection in two-defects solutions (acetaldehyde + L-ascorbic acid) has been investigated.