Rapid and mobile determination of alcoholic strength in wine, beer and spirits using a flow-through infrared sensor
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ever since Gay-Lussac's time, the alcoholic strength by volume (% vol) has been determined by using densimetric measurements. The typical reference procedure involves distillation followed by pycnometry, which is comparably labo...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2010-03-01
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| Series: | Chemistry Central Journal |
| Online Access: | http://journal.chemistrycentral.com/content/4/1/5 |
| _version_ | 1818563210012262400 |
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| author | Ansay Bob Steiner Markus Godelmann Rolf Lachenmeier Dirk W Weigel Jürgen Krieg Gunther |
| author_facet | Ansay Bob Steiner Markus Godelmann Rolf Lachenmeier Dirk W Weigel Jürgen Krieg Gunther |
| author_sort | Ansay Bob |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ever since Gay-Lussac's time, the alcoholic strength by volume (% vol) has been determined by using densimetric measurements. The typical reference procedure involves distillation followed by pycnometry, which is comparably labour-intensive and therefore expensive. At present, infrared (IR) spectroscopy in combination with multivariate regression is widely applied as a screening procedure, which allows one to determine alcoholic strength in less than 2 min without any sample preparation. The disadvantage is the relatively large investment for Fourier transform (FT) IR or near-IR instruments, and the need for matrix-dependent calibration. In this study, we apply a much simpler device consisting of a patented multiple-beam infrared sensor in combination with a flow-through cell for automated alcohol analysis, which is available in a portable version that allows for on-site measurements.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During method validation, the precision of the infrared sensor was found to be equal to or better than densimetric or FTIR methods. For example, the average repeatability, as determined in 6 different wine samples, was 0.05% vol and the relative standard deviation was below 0.2%. Accuracy was ensured by analyzing 260 different alcoholic beverages in comparison to densimetric or FTIR results. The correlation was linear over the entire range from alcohol-free beers up to high-proof spirits, and the results were in substantial agreement (R = 0.99981, p < 0.0001, RMSE = 0.279% vol). The applicability of the device was further proven for the analysis of wines during fermentation, and for the determination of unrecorded alcohol (i.e. non-commercial or illicit products).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The flow-through infrared device is much easier to handle than typical reference procedures, while time-consuming sample preparation steps such as distillation are not necessary. Therefore, the alcoholic strength can be economically and quickly controlled (requiring less than 60 s per sample). The device also gives the opportunity for mobile on-site control in the context of labelling control of wine, beer and spirits, the process monitoring of fermentations, or the evaluation of unrecorded alcohols.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T01:13:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-69cb7e4b2d7948e8bd7e1b7ce00059d4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-153X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T01:13:49Z |
| publishDate | 2010-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Chemistry Central Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-69cb7e4b2d7948e8bd7e1b7ce00059d42022-12-21T23:22:39ZengBMCChemistry Central Journal1752-153X2010-03-0141510.1186/1752-153X-4-5Rapid and mobile determination of alcoholic strength in wine, beer and spirits using a flow-through infrared sensorAnsay BobSteiner MarkusGodelmann RolfLachenmeier Dirk WWeigel JürgenKrieg Gunther<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ever since Gay-Lussac's time, the alcoholic strength by volume (% vol) has been determined by using densimetric measurements. The typical reference procedure involves distillation followed by pycnometry, which is comparably labour-intensive and therefore expensive. At present, infrared (IR) spectroscopy in combination with multivariate regression is widely applied as a screening procedure, which allows one to determine alcoholic strength in less than 2 min without any sample preparation. The disadvantage is the relatively large investment for Fourier transform (FT) IR or near-IR instruments, and the need for matrix-dependent calibration. In this study, we apply a much simpler device consisting of a patented multiple-beam infrared sensor in combination with a flow-through cell for automated alcohol analysis, which is available in a portable version that allows for on-site measurements.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During method validation, the precision of the infrared sensor was found to be equal to or better than densimetric or FTIR methods. For example, the average repeatability, as determined in 6 different wine samples, was 0.05% vol and the relative standard deviation was below 0.2%. Accuracy was ensured by analyzing 260 different alcoholic beverages in comparison to densimetric or FTIR results. The correlation was linear over the entire range from alcohol-free beers up to high-proof spirits, and the results were in substantial agreement (R = 0.99981, p < 0.0001, RMSE = 0.279% vol). The applicability of the device was further proven for the analysis of wines during fermentation, and for the determination of unrecorded alcohol (i.e. non-commercial or illicit products).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The flow-through infrared device is much easier to handle than typical reference procedures, while time-consuming sample preparation steps such as distillation are not necessary. Therefore, the alcoholic strength can be economically and quickly controlled (requiring less than 60 s per sample). The device also gives the opportunity for mobile on-site control in the context of labelling control of wine, beer and spirits, the process monitoring of fermentations, or the evaluation of unrecorded alcohols.</p>http://journal.chemistrycentral.com/content/4/1/5 |
| spellingShingle | Ansay Bob Steiner Markus Godelmann Rolf Lachenmeier Dirk W Weigel Jürgen Krieg Gunther Rapid and mobile determination of alcoholic strength in wine, beer and spirits using a flow-through infrared sensor Chemistry Central Journal |
| title | Rapid and mobile determination of alcoholic strength in wine, beer and spirits using a flow-through infrared sensor |
| title_full | Rapid and mobile determination of alcoholic strength in wine, beer and spirits using a flow-through infrared sensor |
| title_fullStr | Rapid and mobile determination of alcoholic strength in wine, beer and spirits using a flow-through infrared sensor |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rapid and mobile determination of alcoholic strength in wine, beer and spirits using a flow-through infrared sensor |
| title_short | Rapid and mobile determination of alcoholic strength in wine, beer and spirits using a flow-through infrared sensor |
| title_sort | rapid and mobile determination of alcoholic strength in wine beer and spirits using a flow through infrared sensor |
| url | http://journal.chemistrycentral.com/content/4/1/5 |
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