Development of a Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Method for Quantification of Volatile Compounds in Wines Using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study reports the development of a straightforward, efficient, and cost-effective dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) method for the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of volatile compounds present in wine. <b>Methods</b>: Four critical parameters were optimised using a D-optimal design to maximise extraction outcomes of the targeted analytes from a 10 mL sample, while minimising interference from other compounds. The analytical characteristics of the method were assessed using 36 target compounds. <b>Results</b>: The method provided satisfactory linearity (correlation coefficients > 0.990), good repeatability for both for intra- and inter-day measurements (RSD < 10.3%), and suitable recoveries of target analytes from both model (83-110%) and real matrices (80-120%). The validated method was subsequently applied to analyse the aroma profile of 30 New Zealand Pinot noir (PN) wine samples. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study contributes to the advancement of analytical techniques available to both industry and researchers to explore the complex aroma profiles of wines.