ISSN:
1431-4630
Keywords:
Key words Authentication
;
Spirits
;
Natural hydrogen and carbon isotope ratios
;
Gas chromatography
;
Linear discriminant analysis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
Abstract Gas chromatography and the determination of natural isotope ratios are powerful analytical methods which can be used to check the authenticity of alcoholic beverages and to detect any adulteration. To check the origin and the authenticity of commercial fruit spirits, whiskies, etc., 197 samples were analysed by gas chromatography, 2H-NMR and 13C isotope mass spectrometry. The discrimination between different varieties was demonstrated by bivariate and multivariate discriminant analysis using different concentrations of volatile compounds such as methanol, butan-1-ol, 2- and 3-methyl-butanol, benzaldehyde and hexanol as well as isotopic data like (D/H)I, (D/H)II and 13C/12C isotopomers of ethanol. The results show that by using multivariate discriminant analysis it is possible to distinguish not only between different groups of spirits, e.g. those made of stone-fruit, malaceous fruit, grain and corn, but also between individual varieties, such as cherry, plum, mirabelle and apple. If the detection of highly rectified ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin and the identification of its raw materials are required, then natural isotope ratios are the only discriminant analytical parameters available.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002170050111
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