Application of 2D NMR spectroscopy to Lambrusco Wine

In recent times the interest in analytical methods, able to assess the origin and authenticity of foodstuff from raw materials to final commercial products, has grown considerably. The complex composition of the samples represents the main difficulty in the characterization of food products. Foods usually occurs as a complex mixture of many chemically different components often present in different ratios. This fact make difficult to use non separative techniques. To solve this problem many analytical approaches have to be taken into account, and the full characterization often requires information gathered through different analytical methods. Non separative analytical techniques can be particularly useful for the characterization of food and for solving traceabilyty problems. Among these techniques, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy has drawn particular attention. Many works based on NMR coupled with multivariate data analysis have been conducted, concerning the usability and effectiveness of this technique as a fingerprint analysis tool in food chemistry, and in particular in oenology.1,2 The main strengths of NMR are its short sample preparation and the wide range of chemical compounds that can be detected simultaneously. NMR, can rapidly provide spectra that describe the main molecular profile with high reproducibility, without laborious sample pre-treatments. For this purpose, one-dimensional sequences are normally used. The two-dimensional sequences, though requiring more time, are very rich in information. However, the spectra obtained by 2D NMR are difficult to use for statistical purposes, due to their intrinsic complexity and the very high number of variables to consider . The aim of this research is to demonstrate that it is possible to use a 2D sequence for the study and classification of typical PDO Lambrusco wines of Modena. The study of new analytical approaches able to characterize and assess the authenticity of typical oenological products is certainly an element that strengthens the bond with the territory of origin and promotes the consumer’s perception of greater quality.