METHOD FOR DETECTING A VOLATILE ANALYTE FOR CLASSING AND SORTING CORK STOPPERS DEPENDING ON THE CONCENTRATION OF THE ANALYTE

摘要

A method for detecting a volatile analyte for categorization and separation of cork stoppers depending on the concentration of the said analyte, with the detection being carried out in concentrations within the range of ng/L (parts per trillion), in a concentrated gas over the cork stoppers, confined to a closed conditioning system. In the said method, the cork stoppers are separately or jointly led to an incubation chamber (1); air or nitrogen is injected into the incubation chamber (1), dragging the gas enriched in the cork's volatile compounds and carrying it to the concentration system which is provided with a trap (4), the latter being meanwhile heated for desorption of the volatile compounds; these are led by the dragging gas towards a detection system (6) which registers a signal related to the presence of the analyte, this signal being used for purposes of classification of the cork stopper or groups of cork stoppers; finally, a software receives the signal and compares it with the established minimum threshold, taking a decision of approval or rejection. An installation for the operation of the said method is also described.