Monoalkyl carbonates in carbonated alcoholic beverages

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Chemistry

Background:

• Monoethyl carbonate (MEC) is a compound with implications for beverage analysis.
• Understanding MEC formation is crucial for beverage quality control and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the presence and formation of monoethyl carbonate (MEC) in beer and sparkling wine.
• To quantify MEC levels in common mixed beverages.

Main Methods:

• Utilized capillary electrophoresis (CE) with a dual capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector (C(4)D) for detection and quantification.
• Analyzed samples of lager beer, rum and cola, whisky and club soda, and gin and tonic water.

Main Results:

• Successfully identified and quantified MEC in lager beer (1.2 mmol/l) and rum and cola (4.1 mmol/l).
• Observed rapid MEC formation in mixed drinks, contrary to previous kinetic predictions.
• Attributed the rapid formation to the low pH of the analyzed beverages.

Conclusions:

• Monoethyl carbonate (MEC) is present in beer and sparkling wine.
• Low beverage pH significantly accelerates MEC formation in mixed drinks.