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Commission Regulation (EC) No 2870/2000 of 19 December 2000 laying down Community reference methods for the analysis of spirits drinks
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[F1Regulation 110/2008] sets minimum levels of volatile compounds other than ethanol and methanol for a series of spirit drinks (rum, spirits of viticultural origin, fruit spirits, etc.). For this series of drinks only, these levels are conventionally considered to be equivalent to the sum of the concentrations of:
Textual Amendments
F1Words in Annex Ch. 3 Pt. 3.1 para. 1 substituted (31.12.2020) by The Agricultural Products, Food and Drink (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1637), regs. 1(7), 16(6)(a)(i)
volatile acids expressed as acetic acid;
aldehydes expressed as ethanal by the sum of ethanal (acetaldehyde) and the ethanal fraction contained in 1,1-diethoxyethane (acetal);
the following higher alcohols: propan-1-ol, butan-1-ol, butan-2-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, assayed by individual alcohol and 2-methylbutan-1-ol, and 3-methylbutan-1-ol assayed as individual alcohol or the sum of the two;
ethyl acetate.
The following are the conventional methods for measuring volatile compounds:
the volatile acids by means of volatile acidity,
the aldehydes (ethanal and acetal), ethyl acetate and the alcohols by means of gas chromatography (GPC).
Gas chromatographic assays of volatile compounds other than those set out above may prove particularly interesting as a means of determining both the origin of the raw material used in the distillation and the actual conditions of distillation.
Some spirits contain other volatile components, such as aromatic compounds, which are characteristic of the raw materials used to obtain the alcohol, of the aroma of the spirit drink and of the special features of the preparation of the spirit. These compounds are important for evaluating the requirements set out in [F2Regulation 110/2008].
Textual Amendments
F2Words in Annex Ch. 3 Pt. 3.1 para. 2 substituted (31.12.2020) by The Agricultural Products, Food and Drink (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1637), regs. 1(7), 16(6)(a)(ii)
This method is suitable for use for the determination of 1,1-diethoxyethane (acetal), 2-methylbutan-1-ol (active amyl alcohol), 3-methylbutan-1-ol (isoamyl alcohol), methanol (methyl alcohol), ethyl ethanoate (ethyl acetate), butan-1-ol (n-butanol), butan-2-ol (sec-butanol), 2-methylpropan-1-ol (isobutyl alcohol), propan-1-ol (n-propanol) and ethanal (acetaldehyde) in spirit drinks using gas chromatography. The method uses an internal standard, for example pentan-3-ol. The concentrations of the analytes are expressed as grams per 100 litres of absolute alcohol; the alcoholic strength of the product must be determined prior to analysis. The spirit drinks that can be analysed using this method include whisky, brandy, rum, wine spirit, fruit spirit and grape marc spirit.
ISO 3696:1987: Water for analytical laboratory use — Specifications and test methods.
Congeners are volatile substances formed along with ethanol during fermentation, distillation and maturation of spirit drinks.
Congeners in spirit drinks are determined by direct injection of the spirit drink, or appropriately diluted spirit drink, into a gas chromatography (GC) system. A suitable internal standard is added to the spirit drink prior to injection. The congeners are separated by temperature programming on a suitable column and are detected using a flame ionisation detector (FID). The concentration of each congener is determined with respect to the internal standard from response factors, which are obtained during calibration under the same chromatographic conditions as those of the spirit drink analysis.
Unless otherwise stated, use only reagents of a purity greater than 97 %, purchased from an ISO-accredited supplier with a certificate of purity, free from other congeners at test dilution (this may be confirmed by injection of individual congener standards at the test dilution using GC conditions as in 6.4) and only water of at least grade 3 as defined in ISO 3696. Acetal and acetaldehyde must be stored in the dark at < 5 °C, all other reagents may be stored at room temperature.
Ethanol absolute (CAS 64-17-5).
Methanol (CAS 67-56-1).
Propan-1-ol (CAS 71-23-8).
2-methylpropan-1-ol (CAS 78-33-1).
Acceptable internal standards: pentan-3-ol (CAS 584-02-1), pentan-1-ol (CAS 71-41-0), 4-methylpentan-1-ol (CAS 626-89-1) or methyl nonanoate (CAS 1731-84-6).
2-methylbutan-1-ol (CAS 137-32-6).
3-methylbutan-1-ol (CAS 123-51-3).
Ethyl acetate (CAS 141-78-6).
Butan-1-ol (CAS 71-36-3).
Butan-2-ol (CAS 78-92-2).
Acetaldehyde (CAS 75-07-0).
Acetal (CAS 105-57-7).
40 % v/v ethanol solution
To prepare 400 ml/l ethanol solution pour 400 ml ethanol (5.1) into a 1-litre volumetric flask, make up to volume with distilled water and mix.
Preparation and storage of standard solutions (procedure used for the validated method).
All standard solutions must be stored at < 5 °C and be prepared freshly on a monthly basis. Masses of components and solutions should be recorded to the nearest 0,1 mg.
Pipette the following reagents into a 100-ml volumetric flask, containing approximately 60-ml ethanol solution (5.13) to minimise component evaporation, make up to volume with ethanol solution (5.13) and mix thoroughly. Record the weight of the flask, each component added and the total final weight of contents.
Component | Volume (ml) |
---|---|
Methanol (5.2) | 3,0 |
Propan-1-ol (5.3) | 3,0 |
2-methylpropan-1-ol (5.4) | 3,0 |
2-methylbutan-1-ol (5.6) | 3,0 |
3-methylbutan-1-ol (5.7) | 3,0 |
Ethyl acetate (5.8) | 3,0 |
Butan-1-ol (5.9) | 3,0 |
Butan-2-ol (5.10) | 3,0 |
Acetaldehyde (5.11) | 3,0 |
Acetal (5.12) | 3,0 |
It is preferable to add acetal and acetaldehyde last in order to minimise losses through evaporation.U.K.
Pipette 3 ml of pentan-3-ol, or other suitable internal standard, (5.5) into a 100-ml volumetric flask, containing approximately 80 ml ethanol solution (5.13), make up to volume with ethanol solution (5.13) and mix thoroughly.
Record the weight of the flask, the weight of pentan-3-ol or other internal standard added and the total final weight of contents.
Pipette 1 ml solution A (5.14.1) and 1 ml solution B (5.14.2) into a 100-ml volumetric flask containing approximately 80 ml ethanol solution (5.13), make up to volume with ethanol solution (5.13) and mix thoroughly.
Record the weight of the flask, each component added and the total final weight of contents.
In order to maintain analytical continuity, prepare a quality control standard using the previously prepared standard A (5.14.1). Pipette 1 ml solution A (5.14.1) into a 100-ml volumetric flask containing approximately 80 ml ethanol solution (5.13), make up to volume with ethanol solution (5.13) and mix thoroughly.
Record the weight of the flask, each component added and the total final weight of contents.
Pipette 10 ml solution B (5.14.2) into a 100-ml volumetric flask containing approximately 80 ml ethanol solution (5.13), make up to volume with ethanol solution (5.13) and mix thoroughly.
Record the weight of the flask, each component added and the total final weight of contents.
Into separate 100-ml volumetric flasks, containing approximately 80 ml ethanol (5.13), pipette 0, 0,1, 0,5, 1,0, 2,0 ml solution A (5.14.1) and 1 ml solution B (5.14.2), make up to volume with ethanol solution (5.13) and mix thoroughly.
Record the weight of the flask, each component added and the total final weight of contents.
Apparatus capable of measuring the density and alcoholic strength.
Analytical balance, capable of measuring to four decimal places.
A temperature programmed gas chromatograph fitted with a flame ionisation detector and integrator or other data handling system capable of measuring peak areas or peak heights.
Gas chromatographic column(s), capable of separating the analytes such that the minimum resolution between the individual components (other than 2-methylbutan-1-ol and 3-methylbutan-1-ol) is at least 1.3.
The following columns and GC conditions are suitable examples:U.K.
A retention gap 1 m × 0,32 mm i.d. connected to a CP-WAX 57 CB column 50 m × 0,32 mm i.d. 0,2 μm film thickness (stabilised polyethylene glycol) followed by a Carbowax 400 column 50 m × 0,32 mm i.d. 0,2 μm film thickness. (Columns are connected using press-fit connectors.)
Carrier gas and pressure: | Helium (135 kPa) |
Column temperature: | 35 °C for 17 min., 35 to 70 °C at 12 °C/min., hold at 70 °C for 25 min. |
Injector temperature: | 150 °C |
Detector temperature: | 250 °C |
Injection volume: | 1 μl, split 20 to 100:1 |
A retention gap 1 m × 0,32 mm i.d. connected to a CP-WAX 57 CB column 50 m × 0,32 mm i.d. 0,2 μm film thickness (stabilised polyethylene glycol). (Retention gap is connected using a press-fit connector.)
Carrier gas and pressure: | Helium (65 kPa) |
Column temperature: | 35 °C for 10 min., 35 to 110 °C at 5 °C/min., 110 to 190 °C at 30 °C/min., hold at 190 °C for 2 min. |
Injector temperature: | 260 °C |
Detector temperature: | 300 °C |
Injection volume: | 1 μl, split 55:1 |
A packed column (5 % CW 20M, Carbopak B), 2 m × 2 mm i.d.
Column temperature: | 65 °C for 4 min., 65 to 140 °C at 10 °C/min., hold at 140 °C for 5 min., 140 to 150 °C at 5 °C/min., hold at 150 °C for 3 min. |
Injector temperature: | 65 °C |
Detector temperature: | 200 °C |
Injection volume: | 1 μl |
Laboratory sample
On receipt, the alcoholic strength of each sample is measured (6.1).
Test portion
Weigh an appropriate sealed weighing vessel and record the weight.
Pipette 9 ml laboratory sample into the vessel and record the weight (MSAMPLE).
Add 1 ml of standard solution E (5.14.5) and record the weight (MIS).
Shake the test material vigorously (at least 20 inversions). Samples must be stored at less than 5 °C prior to analysis in order to minimise any volatile losses.
Using a four decimal place balance (6.2), weigh an appropriate sealed weighing vessel and record the weight.
Pipette 9 ml 400 ml/l ethanol solution (5.13) into the vessel and record the weight.
Add 1 ml of standard solution E (5.14.5) and record the weight.
Shake the test material vigorously (at least 20 inversions). Samples must be stored at less than 5 °C prior to analysis in order to minimise any volatile losses.
Inject standard solution C (5.14.3) to ensure that all of the analytes are separated with a minimum resolution of 1.3 (except 2-methylbutan-1-ol and 3-methylbutan-1-ol).
The calibration should be checked using the following procedure. Ensure that the response is linear by successively analysing in triplicate each of the linearity standard solutions (5.14.6) containing internal standard (IS). From the integrator peak areas or peak heights for each injection calculate the ratio R for each congener and plot a graph of R versus the concentration ratio of congener to internal standard (IS), C. A linear plot should be obtained, with a correlation coefficient of at least 0,99.
An automated system of data handling can be used, provided the data can be checked using the principles described in the method below.
Measure either peak areas or peak heights for congener and internal standard peaks.
From the chromatogram of the injection of standard solution C (5.14.3), calculate response factors for each congener using equation (1). where:
=
Internal Standard
=
concentration of congener in solution C (5.14.3)
=
concentration of internal standard in solution C (5.14.3).
Using equation (2) below, calculate the concentration of each congener in the samples. where:
=
weight of sample (8.1.2);
=
weight of internal standard (8.1.3);
=
concentration of internal standard in solution E (5.14.5);
=
response factor calculated using equation 1.
Using equation (2) above, calculate the concentration of each congener in the quality control standard solutions prepared by following the procedure as in 8.1.1 to 8.1.4. Using equation (3), calculate the percentage recovery of the target value. If the analysed results are within ± 10 % of their theoretical values for each congener, analysis may proceed. If not, an investigation should be made to find the cause of the inaccuracy and remedial action taken as appropriate.
Statistical results of the interlaboratory test: the following tables give the values for the following compounds: ethanal, ethyl acetate, acetal, total ethanal, methanol, butan-2-ol, propan-1-ol, butan-1-ol, 2-methyl-propan-1-ol, 2 methyl-butan-1-ol, 3 methyl-butan-1-ol.
The following data were obtained from an international method performance study carried out to internationally agreed procedures.
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 5 |
Analyte | ethanal |
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 5 |
Analyte | ethyl acetate |
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 5 |
Analyte | acetal |
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 5 |
Analyte | total ethanal |
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 5 |
Analyte | Methanol |
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 4 |
Analyte | butan-2-ol |
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 5 |
Analyte | propan-1-ol |
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 5 |
Analyte | propan-1-ol |
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 5 |
Analyte | 2-methylpropan-1-ol |
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 5 |
Analyte | 2-methyl-butan-1-ol |
Year of interlaboratory test | 1 997 |
Number of laboratories | 32 |
Number of samples | 5 |
Analyte | 3-methyl-butan-1-ol |
The method has been validated in an interlaboratory study for rum, brandy, marc and fruit spirits, at levels ranging from 30 mg/l to 641 mg/l.
ISO 3696: 1987 Water for analytical use — Specifications and test methods.
The total acidity and fixed acidity are determined by titration or by potentiometry.
During the analysis, unless otherwise stated, use only reagents of recognised analytical grade and water of at least grade 3 as defined in ISO 3696:1987.
Weigh 0,1 g of indigo carmine and 0,1 g of phenol red.
Dissolve in 40 ml water and make up to 100 ml with ethanol.
Indirect laboratory apparatus, grade A glassware and the following:
Water pump
Rotary evaporator or ultrasonic bath
Equipment for potentiometric titration (optional).
Samples are stored at room temperature prior to analysis.
The spirit is irradiated with ultrasonic (ultrasonication) or stirred two minutes under a vacuum to rid it of carbon dioxide if required.
Pipette 25 ml of the spirit into a 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask.
Add about 200 ml of cooled boiled distilled water (prepared fresh daily) and 2-6 drops of the mixed indicator solution (5.2).
Titrate with the 0,01 M sodium hydroxide solution (5.1) until the yellow-green colour changes to violet in the case of colourless spirits, the yellow-brown colour to red-brown in the case of brown-coloured spirits respectively.
The titration may also be carried out by potentiometry, to pH 7,5.
Let n 1 ml be the volume of the 0,01 M sodium hydroxide solution added.
The total acidity (TA) expressed in milliequivalents per l of spirit is equal to 0,4 × n 1 .
The total acidity (TA′) expressed in mg of acetic acid per l of spirit is equal to 24 × n 1 .
Evaporate 25 ml of the spirit to dryness:
Pipette 25 ml of the spirit into a flat-bottomed cylindrical evaporating dish 55 mm in diameter. During the first hour of evaporation the evaporating dish is placed on the lid of a boiling water bath so that the liquid will not boil, as this could lead to losses through splattering.
Complete the drying by placing the evaporating dish in a drying oven at 105 °C for two hours. Allow the evaporating dish to cool in a desiccator.
Dissolve the residue left after evaporating with cooled boiled distilled water (prepared fresh daily) and make up to a volume to circa 100 ml and add 2-6 drops of the mixed indicator solution (5.2).
Titrate with the 0,01 M sodium hydroxide solution (5.1).
The titration may also be carried out by potentiometry, to pH 7,5.
Let n 2 ml be the volume of the 0,01 M sodium hydroxide solution added.
The fixed acidity (FA) expressed in milliequivalents per l of spirit is equal to 0,4 × n 2 .
The fixed acidity (FA) expressed in mg of acetic acid per l of spirit is equal to 24 × n 2 .
Let:
=
total acidity in milliequivalents per l
=
fixed acidity in milliequivalents per l
Volatile acidity, VA, in milliequivalents per l is equal to:
TA – FA.
Let:
=
total acidity in mg of acetic acid per l
=
fixed acidity in mg of acetic acid per l
Volatile acidity, VA, in mg of acetic acid per l is equal to:
TA′ – FA′.
where A is the alcoholic strength by volume of the spirit drink.
The following data were obtained from an international method performance study carried out to internationally agreed procedures (1) (2).
Year of interlaboratory test | 2000 |
Number of laboratories | 18 |
Number of samples | 6 |
Sample types:
Plum spirit; split level *
Rum I; blind duplicates
Rum II; split level *
Slivovitz; blind duplicates
Brandy; blind duplicates
Marc spirit; blind duplicates.
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