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Testing whiskey with gas chromatography (GC) can be challenging due to several reasons:
Testing alcohol at the production source is important for quality control, compliance with regulations, efficiency, brand reputation, and safety. By testing alcohol early in the production process, manufacturers can ensure that their products are safe and of high quality, avoiding potential legal, financial, or reputational consequences. However, certain challenges arise with testing alcohol.
1) Complexity of the Sample Matrix: Whiskey is a complex mixture of various compounds, including alcohol, water, flavor compounds, and other impurities. The complexity of the sample matrix can make it difficult to separate and identify specific compounds using GC. Additionally, the presence of multiple compounds can lead to overlapping peaks in the chromatogram, making it difficult to distinguish individual components.
2) Volatility of the Compounds: Whiskey contains volatile compounds that can evaporate during the analysis, leading to loss of sensitivity and accuracy. Therefore, special care must be taken during sample preparation and analysis to prevent sample evaporation.
3) Detection Limits: Some of the compounds in whiskey, such as fusel oils, are present in very low concentrations, making them difficult to detect using GC. Achieving the necessary detection limits requires sensitive equipment and careful sample preparation.
4) Matrix Effects: The matrix effects can occur when the components of the sample matrix interact with the GC system, leading to changes in the retention time, peak shape, and sensitivity of the analysis. This can affect the accuracy and precision of the results and can be challenging to control.
5) Equipment and Training: GC equipment requires regular maintenance and calibration to ensure accurate and reliable results. Additionally, personnel responsible for conducting the analysis must have the necessary training and expertise to operate the equipment, interpret the results, and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Overcoming these challenges requires careful sample preparation, sensitive equipment, and trained personnel. Despite these challenges, GC remains a powerful tool for analyzing whiskey and other complex mixtures, providing valuable insights into the composition and quality of these products.
The Mayura Analytical high resolution Portal GC is the first of its kind, Made in India GC. The Portable High Resolution GC Model PHR I is a unique piece of equipment, which is a proprietary development of Mayura Analytical. This high resolution fully portable GC Model PHR I weighs around 6kgs and comes with a built-in FID detector. It runs unattended and comes with an in-built Auto Sampler and Auto Column Switch mechanism, which is programmable through a microcontroller-supported keyboard with an LCD display unit. With a laptop, analyses are done on the go.
Given its unique compact structure with built in auto sampler, this GC has a variety of applications such as analysis of alcohol and petrochemicals at varies points of manufacturing and distribution to ensure consistency in quality. Liquor analysis at 150 C in a portable GC for adulteration detection in the market has been conducted using this GC.
Check out more details about our PHR Gas Chromatograph here
Contact us at sales@mayuraanalytical.com or call us at +91 - 8884082005 for further enquires.