ICP-MS multi-element profiles and HPLC determination of furanic compounds in commercial tequila

Advances in assessing the elemental composition of distilled spirits using atomic spectrometry

“…Even better results in terms of characterization of these alcoholic beverages are obtained when concentrations of elements {e.g., Cu, Hg, Th and Mo [23], Ca, Mg and K [44], Ca and Mg [47], Cu, Fe, Mg and Mn [29], Cu [15], Cu and Fe [30], Cu, Mg and Mn [21]} are used with concentrations of the specific organic species determined in these beverages (i.e., alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, sugars, polyphenols, and volatile compounds).…”

“…Unfortunately, distillation in Cu apparatus is hard to avoid because it has catalytic effects on the color, the taste and the flavor of final distilled spirit products and improves their quality and sensorial properties [8,9,23,25,26,29,40]. The presence of Cu in most parts of distilleries leads to a low level of unpleasant, volatile, S-containing compounds, but better taste and aroma of the distilled alcoholic beverages [15,23,25].…”

“…Water used for diluting distillates is also critical and may be a source of trace elements. Low-quality or polluted water can contaminate distilled spirits with trace and ultratrace elements, such as Ba, Hg, Mn, Mo, Th or U [2,9,23].…”

“…The presence of Cu in most parts of distilleries leads to a low level of unpleasant, volatile, S-containing compounds, but better taste and aroma of the distilled alcoholic beverages [15,23,25]. However, an elevated level of Cu probably poses a threat to human health [32], mostly due to increased catalytic formation of acetaldehyde and other aldehydes [14], and ethyl carbamate (a carcinogenic compound) [29].…”

“…Trace elements, such as Cu and Pb, can be derived from the materials of the utensils used for traditional distillation (so called artisanal), including Cu pot stills (alembics) and alquitaras, distillation coils, and maturation of distilled spirits (i.e., oak wood barrels and casks) [2,3,5,8,9,[14][15][16]19,[23][24][25][26][27][29][30][31][32][33]35,36,[40][41][42]. Surface corrosion of these materials is the most common cause of Cu and Pb , and other concomitant elements being present in finished products.…”