Non-Invasive Monitoring of Ethanol and Methanol Levels in Grape-Derived Pisco Distillate by Vibrational Spectroscopy.

Handheld Raman and portable FT-IR spectroscopy devices were evaluated for fast and non-invasive determination of methanol and ethanol levels in Peruvian Pisco. Commercial Peruvian Pisco (n = 171) samples were kindly provided by the UNALM Alliance for Research in Alcohol and its Derivatives (Lima, Peru) and supplemented by purchases at grocery and online stores. Pisco spectra were collected on handheld Raman spectrometers equipped with either a 1064 nm or a 785 nm excitation laser and a portable infrared unit operating in transmission mode. The alcohol levels were determined by GC-MS. Calibration models used partial least-squares regression (PLSR) to develop prediction algorithms. GC-MS data revealed that 10% of Pisco samples had ethanol levels lower than 38%, indicating possible water dilution. Methanol levels ranged from 10 to 130 mg/100 mL, well below the maximum levels allowed for fruit brandies. Handheld Raman equipped with a 1064 nm excitation laser gave the best results for determining ethanol (SEP = 1.2%; RPre = 0.95) and methanol (SEP = 1.8 mg/100 mL; RPre = 0.93). Randomly selected Pisco samples were spiked with methanol (75 to 2800 mg/100 mL), and their Raman spectra were collected through their genuine commercial bottles. The prediction models gave an excellent performance (SEP = 98 mg/100 mL; RPre = 0.97), allowing for the non-destructive and non-contact determination of methanol and ethanol concentrations without opening the bottles.

Characterization and authentication of a novel vegetable source of omega-3 fatty acids, sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil.

Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3's), whether from fish oils, flax or supplements, can protect against cardiovascular disease. Finding plant-based sources of the essential ω-3's could provide a sustainable, renewable and inexpensive source of ω-3's, compared to fish oils. Our objective was to develop a rapid test to characterize and detect adulteration in sacha inchi oils, a Peruvian seed containing higher levels of ω-3's in comparison to other oleaginous seeds. A temperature-controlled ZnSe ATR mid-infrared benchtop and diamond ATR mid-infrared portable handheld spectrometers were used to characterize sacha inchi oil and evaluate its oxidative stability compared to commercial oils. A soft independent model of class analogy (SIMCA) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) analyzed the spectral data. Fatty acid profiles showed that sacha inchi oil (44% linolenic acid) had levels of PUFA similar to those of flax oils. PLSR showed good correlation coefficients (R(2)>0.9) between reference tests and spectra from infrared devices, allowing for rapid determination of fatty acid composition and prediction of oxidative stability. Oils formed distinct clusters, allowing the evaluation of commercial sacha inchi oils from Peruvian markets and showed some prevalence of adulteration. Determining oil adulteration and quality parameters, by using the ATR-MIR portable handheld spectrometer, allowed for portability and ease-of-use, making it a great alternative to traditional testing methods.

Estudio de la actividad fermentativa de Hansenula anomala y producción de compuestos químicos de importancia sensorial / Study of the fermentative activity of Hansenula anomala and production of chemical compounds of sensory importance

Se ha estudiado la actividad fermentativa de Hansenula anomala RIVE 7-1-5 con el objetivo de evaluar la producción de compuestos químicos de importancia sensorial. Los resultados mostraron que fermenta bien monosacáridos y también sucrosa y maltosa. Su actividad fermentativa es inhibida a concentraciones de 100,0mg/L de metabisulfito de sodio en el medio. Además, es capaz de producir 5,81±0,1 % v/v de etanol. La agitación del medio de cultivo incrementa la producción de alcoholes superiores (679,2 mg/L) y etil acetato (206,0±8,0 mg/L), por el contrario disminuye la producción de ácido acético (196,0±7,0 mg/L). La producción de glicerol fue similiar tanto en cultivo estático (sin agitación) como agitado. Durante el cultivo batch en biorreactor a condiciones aireadas la tasa de crecimiento (µ) alcanzó el valor de 0,13 h-1 y se observó la producción de ácido acético hasta 4,2±0,3 g/L. La concentración de oxígeno en el medio afecta su metabolismo, así cantidades insuficientes de oxígeno provocaría un metabolismo respirofermentativo con la producción de etanol, alcoholes superiores, ésteres y ácido acético. El control de la aireación al medio de fermentación es una herramienta útil para controlar el balance entre la actividad respiratoria y fermentativa y así la síntesis de compuestos de importancia sensorial en la producción de bebidas fermentadas no tradicionales.

The fermentative behaviour of Hansenula anomala RIVE 7-1-5 was studied in order to evaluate the production of chemical compounds of sensory importance. The results demonstrated that the strain ferments very well monosaccharides and also sucrose and maltose. Its fermentative activity was inhibited at concentrations of 100 mg/L of sodium metabisulphite in the medium. Furthermore, it was able to produce 5,81±0,1% (v/v) of ethanol. Agitation of the culture medium increases the production of higher alcohols (679,2 mg/L) and ethyl acetate (206,0±8,0 mg/L), but on the contrary affects the production of acetic acid (196,0±7,0mg/L). Glycerol production was similar in static (without agitation) and shaken cultivation. During batch cultivation carried out in biorreactor under aerated conditions the growth rate (µ) reached value of 0,13 h-1 and, it was also observed production of acetic acid at levels of 4,2±0,3 g/L. The oxygen concentration in the medium affects its metabolism, thus insufficient amounts of oxygen would provoke a respirofermentative metabolism with production of ethanol, higher alcohols, esters and acetic acid. The control of aeration during fermentation is a useful tool to control the balance between the respiratory and fermentative activity and thus; synthesis of compounds of sensory importance in the production of non-traditional fermented beverages.

Actividad fermentativa de Hanseniaspora uvarum y su importancia en la producción de bebidas fermentadas / Fermentative activity of Hanseniaspora uvarum and its importance in production of fermented beverages

Se estudió la actividad fermentativa de Hanseniaspora uvarum RIVE 6-2-2 con el objetivo de evaluar su importancia en los procesos de producción de bebidas fermentadas. La cepa se cultivó en frascos Erlenmeyer conteniendo jugo de manzana esterilizado y sin aroma, y se determinaron los compuestos químicos de importancia sensorial producidos durante la fermentación en cultivo agitado (200 min-1) y estático (sin agitación). Los resultados mostraron que la cepa fue capaz de producir etanol hasta 4,02±0,1v/v% en cultivo estático a 28 °C. La agitación del medio de cultivo incrementó la producción de alcoholes superiores (hasta 488,2 mg/L) y ácido acético (468,0±10,2 mg/L) comparado al cultivo estático, mientras que por el contrario, la producción de etil acetato y glicerol (189,0±12,0 mg/L y 3,2±0,3 g/L) resultó ser mayor que en cultivo agitado (142,0±8,0 mg/L y 2,3±0,25 g/L) respectivamente. Cultivos bacth realizados adicionalmente reportaron una tasa de crecimiento (μ) de 0,05 h-1 y producción de pequeñas cantidades de compuestos típicamente encontrados en la fermentación alcohólica. Los mejores resultados, en términos de calidad organoléptica (aroma, sabor y olor), se obtuvieron en la fermentación en cultivo estático. El control de la aireación del medio de fermentación es una herramienta importante para controlar la síntesis de compuestos de importancia sensorial en la producción de bebidas fermentadas.

The fermentation activity of Hanseniaspora uvarum RIVE 6-2-2 was studied with the purpose of evaluating its importance in the production process of fermented beverages. The strain was cultured in Erlenmeyer flasks, which contained sterilized and odorless apple juice, and the chemical compounds of sensorial importance produced during fermentation in shaken (200 min-1), and static (without shaking) cultures at 28 ºC were determined. The results showed that the strains were capable of producing ethanol up to 4.20±0.1v/v% in static cultures at 28 ºC. Shaking of the culture medium increased the superior alcohol production (up to 488.2 mg/L) and acetic acid (468.0± 10.2 mg/L), when compared with the static culture; on the other hand, the production of ethyl acetate and glycerol (189.0±12.0 mg/L and 3.2±0.3 g/L) was higher in static than in shaken cultures (142.0±8.0 mg/L and 2.3±0.25 g/L), respectively. Additional batch cultures reported a growth rate (µ) of 0.05 h-1 and production of small amounts of compounds typically found in alcoholic fermentation. The best results, in terms of organoleptic qualities (aroma, taste and smell), were found in the static culture fermentation. The aeration control of the fermentation medium is an important tool for controlling the synthesis of sensorial importance compounds in the production of fermented beverages.