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A considerable amount of quantitative and qualitative information on the non-volatile constituents of wine (acids, sugars, and polyols] can be readily obtained, from small sample volumes without prefractlonation, by glass capillary gas chromatography of their trimethylsilyl derivatives. A continuous check on the correct functioning of the method, and in particular on the inertness of the glass capillary and injector, is obtained by the use of two internal standards, whose trimethylsilyl derivatives vary considerably in stability. Any variation in the ratio of the peak areas of the latter derivatives indicates incorrect sample preparation or possible adsorptive/cataiytic activity of the GC system. As a general method, the technique may be applied to other alcoholic beverages.

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