Identification and dosage by HRGC of minor alcohols and esters in Brazilian sugar-cane spirit

The presence of 51 volatile compounds, among alcohols and esters in Brazilian sugar-cane spirit (cachaca), were investigated by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC). The following alcohols and esters were identified and quantified: methanol, 1,4-butanodiol, 2-phenylethyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cynamic alcohol, n-decanol, geraniol, isoamyl alcohol, isobutanol, menthol, n-butanol, n-dodecanol, n-propanol, n-tetradecanol, amyl propionate, ethyl acetate, ethyl benzoate, ethyl heptanoate, isoamyl valerate, methyl propionate, propyl butyrate. The average higher alcohols content (262 mg/100 mL in anhydrous alcohol a.a.) and total esters content (24 mg/100 mL a.a.) in cachacas, are smaller than in other spirits. The average methanol content in cachacas (6 mg/100 mL a.a.) is the same as in rum, but smaller than in wine spirit. No qualitative differences of chemical profile among cachacas have been observed.