Brazilian vodkas have undetectable levels of ethyl carbamate

Abstract

Recebido em 25/9/12; aceito em 21/1/13; publicado na web em 14/5/13While in Europe vodka is mainly derived from potatoes or cereals, a large proportion of Brazilian vodka is likely obtained from sugarcane, which contains ethyl carbamate (EC) precursors. EC, in addition to several other contaminants and congeners, were investigated in 32 samples of Brazilian vodka. All samples complied with the Brazilian regulations for congeners and contaminants, having EC content below 0.01 mg/L (detection limit). These results are probably related to the processing of vodka, in particular the use of extractive and rectifying stainless steel distillation columns, which allow the production of high strength spirits with low levels of congeners and contaminants.

The Analysis of Vodka: A Review Paper

“…Both methanol and acetaldehyde were present in these vodkas at the concentrations below the limit of quantification. For most samples, the content of higher alcohols and ethyl acetate did not meet the EU standards although the total content of contaminants was definitely lower than the values prescribed by the Brazilian regulations (Pereira et al 2013). Lachenmeier et al (2009) analysed 11 samples of alcoholic beverages available in local stores in Hanoi, which included three vodkas, one whiskey, one brandy, one rum and others.…”

“…All the investigated samples were within these limits. A GC-FID system was also applied to analyse the volatile fraction of vodkas originating from Brazil (Pereira et al 2013) and Vietnam ). In the case of Brazilian vodkas, 32 brands were analysed with regard to the content of higher alcohols, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate and methanol.…”

“…The content of EC in Brazilian vodkas (Pereira et al 2013) and various spirit-based beverages, including vodkas purchased in Ontario (Clegg et al 1988), was determined by using GC-MS. The gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was used to detect EC in Vietnamese vodkas (Nordon et al 2005).…”

“…70 elements. Because of that, AAS was used to determine the content of lead and copper in Brazilian vodkas for which the measurements were below the detection limit (Pereira et al 2013). Atomic emission spectroscopy allows for the concurrent detection or determination of many elements even when they are present in infinitesimal amounts.…”

Qualitative characteristics and comparison of volatile fraction of vodkas made from different botanical materials by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography and the electronic nose based on the technology of ultra‐fast gas chromatography

“…The measurement of alcohol content is traditionally conducted by the pycnometer method or with a densitometer. In general, composition analysis is performed using gas chromatography (GC), usually coupled to flame ionization detection (FID) or mass spectrometry (MS) . Alcohol used in vodka production should fulfill certain requirements.…”