<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Objective: Methanol appears in relatively high concentrations in alcoholic beverages obtained from fermented fruits distillates. These products are traditionally home made in many regions in Romania and other EU countries. The chronic use of products with high methanol concentration can be considered a health risk. The purpose of this work was to measure methanol concentration in a Romanian region where brandy-type alcoholic products are made from different fruits (plum, apple, pear, grapes), and to observe if there is a type of product that contains more methanol than the others. Methods: The content of methanol in the tested alcoholic beverages was determined using a gas chromatographic method. Results: Only 18% of the tested 56 samples met UE regulation regarding methanol content of alcoholic beverages (0.4% in alcoholic drinks containing 40% ethanol). The highest concentration of 2.39% was found in a plum brandy. Plum brandies contained significantly higher amounts of methanol than brandies made from other fruits (0.91 vs 0.52%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Home distilled alcoholic beverages obtained from fruits are a health threat due to their high methanol content. Strict regulations and tests should be introduced for such products</p></abstract>

Objective: Methanol appears in relatively high concentrations in alcoholic beverages obtained from fermented fruits distillates. These products are traditionally home made in many regions in Romania and other EU countries. The chronic use of products with high methanol concentration can be considered a health risk. The purpose of this work was to measure methanol concentration in a Romanian region where brandy-type alcoholic products are made from different fruits (plum, apple, pear, grapes), and to observe if there is a type of product that contains more methanol than the others. Methods: The content of methanol in the tested alcoholic beverages was determined using a gas chromatographic method. Results: Only 18% of the tested 56 samples met UE regulation regarding methanol content of alcoholic beverages (0.4% in alcoholic drinks containing 40% ethanol). The highest concentration of 2.39% was found in a plum brandy. Plum brandies contained significantly higher amounts of methanol than brandies made from other fruits (0.91 vs 0.52%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Home distilled alcoholic beverages obtained from fruits are a health threat due to their high methanol content. Strict regulations and tests should be introduced for such products

A Survey on the Methanol Content of Home Distilled Alcoholic Beverages in Transylvania (Romania)

Department of Toxicology, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

Acta Marisiensis - Seria Medica

Objective: Methanol appears in relatively high concentrations in alcoholic beverages obtained from fermented fruits distillates. These products are...

A Survey on the Methanol Content of Home Distilled Alcoholic Beverages in Transylvania (Romania)

Published Online: Mar 07, 2014

Page range: 206 - 208

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2013-0048

Keywords
methanol, plum, grapes, orange, alcoholic beverages

This content is open access.

A Survey on the Methanol Content of Home Distilled Alcoholic Beverages in Transylvania (Romania)

Published Online: Mar 07, 2014

Page range: 206 - 208

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2013-0048

Keywordsmethanol, plum, grapes, orange, alcoholic beverages

This content is open access.

Keywords
methanol, plum, grapes, orange, alcoholic beverages