Analysis of Alcohol by Volume %: Methods and Applications in Food Products

Why is % Alcohol by Volume Analysis Performed?

Alcohol production and consumption is increasing worldwide. Depending on the high consumption amounts, the alcoholic beverage sector has gained value and every product offered for human consumption must pass certain quality tests. The determination of alcohol by volume is also important in terms of verifying the amount of alcohol specified in alcoholic beverages and analyzing the products marketed as soft drinks and informing the consumer correctly.

What is % Alcohol by Volume?

% Alcohol by volume refers to the amount of ethanol contained in a beverage or solution relative to its total volume. It is also known as “alcohol by volume” and is often used for labeling purposes in beverages with high alcohol content (e.g. wine, beer, liquor). The expression % Alcohol by Volume (ABV - Alcohol by Volume) indicates the amount of ethanol in 100 ml of the beverage; for example, in a wine with 12% alcohol by volume, 12 ml of every 100 ml of liquid is pure ethanol.

Why is % Alcohol by Volume Determined?

% alcohol by volume determination is performed to ensure product quality and legal compliance. One of the main purposes of this test is to inform the consumer correctly and to prevent counterfeit or low-quality products from being placed on the market. It is also important to ensure regulatory compliance, as tax regulations for certain alcoholic beverages are based on alcohol content. Misrepresentation of alcohol content is subject to strict control, as it can harm public health.

In Turkey, regulations on alcohol content are included in the Turkish Food Codex. Accurate labeling of alcohol-containing beverages is mandatory and regulated by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

What are the Methods for Determining % Alcohol by Volume?

Various laboratory methods are used for the determination of % alcohol by volume:

1. Distillation Method: It involves volumetric measurement by separating alcohol from water.
2. Gas Chromatography (GC): Used to analyze alcohol content with high precision.
3. Breathalyzer Use: A widely used method, especially for simple measurements.
4. NIR Spectroscopy: A fast and non-contact method for alcohol determination.

These methods are selected according to the type of product being tested and the sensitivity requirements.

Alcohol degree refers to the amount of alcohol by volume in a 100-unit mixture of water and alcohol. Briefly, 45 degrees of alcohol refers to a solution of 45 parts alcohol and 55 parts water.

Alcohol by volume determination is mainly based on gravimetric measurement of the amount of alcohol contained in beverages such as wine, beer, vodka, raki, soft drinks and fruit juices. Gravimetric analyses are performed by weighing a substance of interest as a pure compound or elemental separation from a sample.

Nano-lab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of % Alcohol by Volume Analysis . We also provide services in Alcoholic Beverage Analysis .

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