Determining the concentrations of arsenic and other potentially toxic elements in wines grown in a risk area by using acid digestion

BcA. Abdul-samad Dere, BA

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Several regions affected by anthropogenic pollution and mining activity have been increasingly considered as potential area of research into the presence of potentially toxic elements in wines. The main purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the distribution of arsenic and other toxic substances in wines produced in the affected regions in order to assess the safety of wine consumption for public health. This is relevant given the increasing demand in the world market for wine, and the need of food safety and regulatory compliance. The first and most important objective of this research is to acid digest wine samples before ICP OES to measure the concentrations of potentially toxic elements in the wine samples. In particular, this study seeks to answer the most critical questions including incidence of toxic element contamination in wines from the risk regions compared to the set safety standards. This methodology involved evaluation of the acid digestion techniques found in literature and selecting the most suitable technique based on its compatibility with the available laboratory equipment. In the practical phase, this method was used on wine samples that were acid digested. The measurement of the aforementioned samples was carried out using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Then, the concentrations levels of potentially toxic elements present in the samples were determined from the data obtained. Wines from Kutná Hora had higher concentrations of several PTEs compared to wines from other less contaminated regions. The success of the acid digestion method for analysis is indicated by the fact that the concentration values obtained by this thesis method were much more consistent and reliable than those obtained from direct measurement by Bulková’s study. The trace element concentrations from this study were similar to Bulková’s (2024). The concentrations of Ba, Ni, and Zn were significantly higher than those reported by Bulková, while Al, As, B, Mn, and Fe were within or below Bulková’s reported range. For Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Sb, V, and Pb similar patterns of or partial detection were found. This is consistent with the past reports on trace elements from Czech wines and confirms the reliability of the methodology as well as the handling of the samples in this study. The implication of this research indicated the need for greater action in educating customers regarding contaminated wines and tougher government approvals for human health from contaminated wines.

Keywords

Wine, Acid digestion, Potentially toxic elements, Arsenic

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 29. 8. 2025

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 16. 9. 2025
• Supervisor: Ing. Marko Spasić, Ph.D.
• Reader: Hana Johanis, Ing.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources

Master programme:
Tropical Crop Management and Ecology