Ultrashort-Chain and Short-Chain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Are Universal Contaminants in Wines: A Comprehensive Survey of Red, White, Rosé, and Sparkling Samples

Abstract

Ultrashort-chain (USC) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasingly detected in environmental and drinking water systems, yet information regarding their occurrence in alcoholic beverages remains limited. The analysis of USC PFAS in wine is particularly challenging because of their high polarity and the complex composition of wine matrices. This study presents a streamlined analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 42 PFAS, including C1–C13 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic and sulfonic acids, in red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a polar-embedded alkyl-phase liquid chromatography column, providing enhanced retention of USC PFAS while maintaining adequate performance for longer-chain analytes. A dilute-and-shoot sample preparation approach combined with 18 isotopically labeled internal standards enabled efficient analysis with minimal sample handling. Method verification using PFAS-spiked wine samples demonstrated satisfactory accuracy (recoveries within ±30% of nominal values) and precision (%RSD < 15%) across analyte-specific calibration ranges of 1–2500 ng/L. Application to commercial wines revealed the widespread occurrence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS), perfluoropropionic acid (PFPrA), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) across all wine categories examined. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of comprehensive PFAS monitoring in wines and highlight the importance of including USC PFAS in exposure assessments of beverages.