Fluorometric determination of sulfite in wine by N-(9-acridinyl)maleimide.

A highly sensitive fluorometric method for determining sulfite in wine is reported./V-(9-Aciridinv l)maleimide (NAM)reacted with the sulfite in wine quantitatively and gave strong fluorescent derivatives.The determinations were conducted by batch and high-performance liquid chromatographic methods.Sulfite contents in wine by NAMmethods and the conventional methods showed good accordance.The sample size could be reduced to less than 1/10,000 by the NAMmethods.Sulfurous acid, or sulfite, is one of the commonoxidized species of sulfur.In food, it is used as a food additive for antioxidation, bleaching and preservation.Especially in wine brewing, relatively large amount of sulfite are used for sterilization and as an antibacterial agent.nIt is necessary to check the level of the sulfite because of its toxity.2'3)For this deter-