Development of a Measurement Procedure for the Mass Concentration of Volatile Organic Impurities in Vodkas by Gas Chromatography and Establishment of Its Metrological Characteristics

Modern food industry imposes high requirements on product quality and safety, which includes the need for continuous monitoring of harmful impurities and determination of the content of auxiliary substances, among which flavor carriers play an important role: triacetin (E1518), benzyl alcohol (E1519), and propylene glycol (E1520). These substances may be present in food products and beverages, playing an important role in stabilizing taste and odor, or acting as emulsifiers and preservatives. The content of flavor carriers in alcoholic products must comply with the strict requirements of regulatory documents, since some chemical compounds can have a negative impact on consumer health when permissible concentrations are exceeded.
An analysis of the regulatory documentation revealed insufficient development of analytical procedures for the determination of flavor carrier components in alcoholic beverages. The development of a gas chromatographic procedure for the selective quantitative and qualitative determination of volatile organic impurities, including flavor carriers in vodkas and special vodkas, is a timely, important and relevant task, which determined the aim of this study.
The procedure was developed using Agilent 6850, 7820, 7890A gas chromatographs with flame ionization detectors. To confirm identification, chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed using a Maestro 7820 gas chromatograph with a mass-selective detector. Separation of components was performed on a high-polarity HP-FFAP capillary column. ChemStation software A.10.02 and B.04.03 was used for data processing. The objects of the study were model solutions and vodka samples.During the work, the chromatographic behavior of the target analytes was studied, and optimal chromatographic conditions were selected to ensure the best separation of 24 target analytes. Calibration solutions were prepared corresponding to the beginning, middle, and end of the intended measurement range of mass concentrations; metrological characteristics were calculated, and validation studies of the procedure were carried out.
As a result of the research, the «Procedure for the determination of the mass concentration of volatile organic impurities in vodkas» was developed, metrologically certified, and implemented in industry. The conducted studies provide a basis for the development of reference materials for volatile organic impurities in vodkas to ensure the uniformity, accuracy and reliability of measurements, and for the purpose of implementing import substitution policy.

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