A rapid method for methanol quantification in spirits using UV-visible spectroscopy and FTIR

Although standards methods of food safety assessment are important, these methods are relatively expensive and require intensive work and time. In alcohol beverage industries, ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy are reliable techniques for qua...

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Main Authors: Ronick S. Shadrack, Krishna K. Kotra, Daniel Tari, Hancy Tabi, Jacinta Botleng, Rolina Kelep, Ladyshia Regenvanu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PeerJ Inc. 2025-04-01
Series:PeerJ Analytical Chemistry
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Online Access:https://peerj.com/articles/achem-35.pdf
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author Ronick S. Shadrack
Krishna K. Kotra
Daniel Tari
Hancy Tabi
Jacinta Botleng
Rolina Kelep
Ladyshia Regenvanu
author_facet Ronick S. Shadrack
Krishna K. Kotra
Daniel Tari
Hancy Tabi
Jacinta Botleng
Rolina Kelep
Ladyshia Regenvanu
author_sort Ronick S. Shadrack
collection DOAJ
description Although standards methods of food safety assessment are important, these methods are relatively expensive and require intensive work and time. In alcohol beverage industries, ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy are reliable techniques for quality assessment of alcohol, however, testing methods are often varying with calibration techniques and instrument specification. In this work, methanol content in ethanol was assessed in two approaches using UV-Vis with a developed calibration technique and FTIR spectroscopy with a factory default scan function at every 2 nanometer (nm). For UV-Vis method, potassium dichromate was used as the chromogenic reagent, tested with methanol concentration ranging from 0.12% to 1% (mV−1). For FTIR method, spectra data was collected every 2 nm interval and calibration curve was built by increasing methanol ratio from 0% to 40% (mV−1) at the expense of ethanol while keeping deionised (DO) water constant at 5% (mV−1) concentration. This helps gauge the change in methanol concentration relative to ethanol. Results of analysis using UV-Vis showed a strong negative correlation for methanol concentration and absorbance value at UV region from 900 to 1,100 cm−1 (r = 98.00, RMSE = 0.023) relative to increasing ethanol concentration. A strong peak was observed for methanol concentration at spectral region of 975 cm−1 which is related to the methanoic acid C-O bond. The FTIR spectra region at 900 to 1,050 cm−1 was used for observing methanol concentration with absorbance. A strong correlation was established from spectral region of 1,010 to 1,026 cm−1, enabling quantification of methanol (r = 0.99, RMSEC = 0.55). Methanol peak was observed at 1,020 cm−1 region of the spectrum. A set of experimental repetition was made with methanol concentration of 0.02% to 0.5% and 0.1% to 5% for UV-Vis and FTIR, respectively, to determine the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). The observation showed a 0.04% and 0.29% (mV−1) LOD for UV-Vis and FTIR method, respectively. The LOQ was 0.12% and 0.89% (mV−1) for UV-Vis and FTIR respectively. The integration of UV-Vis with potassium dichromate as chromogenic reagent and FTIR spectroscopy with comparatively 50% less data point still present a significant advancement in the test method for safety and quality control of alcohol beverage products. These techniques not only enhance the ability to detect harmful substances but also provide a cost-effective and rapid alternative to traditional methods, making them invaluable tools for distilleries aiming to uphold high standards of quality.
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spelling doaj-art-b94607a7624a45de9e72fba912ca2e272025-08-20T02:27:29ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ Analytical Chemistry2691-66302025-04-017e3510.7717/peerj-achem.35A rapid method for methanol quantification in spirits using UV-visible spectroscopy and FTIRRonick S. Shadrack0Krishna K. Kotra1Daniel Tari2Hancy Tabi3Jacinta Botleng4Rolina Kelep5Ladyshia Regenvanu6Laboratory, Vanuatu Bureau of Standards, Port Vila, VanuatuSchool of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS), The University of the South Pacific, Emalus Campus, Port Vila, Shefa, VanuatuLaboratory, Vanuatu Bureau of Standards, Port Vila, VanuatuLaboratory, Vanuatu Bureau of Standards, Port Vila, VanuatuLaboratory, Vanuatu Bureau of Standards, Port Vila, VanuatuLaboratory, Vanuatu Bureau of Standards, Port Vila, VanuatuLaboratory, Vanuatu Bureau of Standards, Port Vila, VanuatuAlthough standards methods of food safety assessment are important, these methods are relatively expensive and require intensive work and time. In alcohol beverage industries, ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy are reliable techniques for quality assessment of alcohol, however, testing methods are often varying with calibration techniques and instrument specification. In this work, methanol content in ethanol was assessed in two approaches using UV-Vis with a developed calibration technique and FTIR spectroscopy with a factory default scan function at every 2 nanometer (nm). For UV-Vis method, potassium dichromate was used as the chromogenic reagent, tested with methanol concentration ranging from 0.12% to 1% (mV−1). For FTIR method, spectra data was collected every 2 nm interval and calibration curve was built by increasing methanol ratio from 0% to 40% (mV−1) at the expense of ethanol while keeping deionised (DO) water constant at 5% (mV−1) concentration. This helps gauge the change in methanol concentration relative to ethanol. Results of analysis using UV-Vis showed a strong negative correlation for methanol concentration and absorbance value at UV region from 900 to 1,100 cm−1 (r = 98.00, RMSE = 0.023) relative to increasing ethanol concentration. A strong peak was observed for methanol concentration at spectral region of 975 cm−1 which is related to the methanoic acid C-O bond. The FTIR spectra region at 900 to 1,050 cm−1 was used for observing methanol concentration with absorbance. A strong correlation was established from spectral region of 1,010 to 1,026 cm−1, enabling quantification of methanol (r = 0.99, RMSEC = 0.55). Methanol peak was observed at 1,020 cm−1 region of the spectrum. A set of experimental repetition was made with methanol concentration of 0.02% to 0.5% and 0.1% to 5% for UV-Vis and FTIR, respectively, to determine the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). The observation showed a 0.04% and 0.29% (mV−1) LOD for UV-Vis and FTIR method, respectively. The LOQ was 0.12% and 0.89% (mV−1) for UV-Vis and FTIR respectively. The integration of UV-Vis with potassium dichromate as chromogenic reagent and FTIR spectroscopy with comparatively 50% less data point still present a significant advancement in the test method for safety and quality control of alcohol beverage products. These techniques not only enhance the ability to detect harmful substances but also provide a cost-effective and rapid alternative to traditional methods, making them invaluable tools for distilleries aiming to uphold high standards of quality.https://peerj.com/articles/achem-35.pdfDistilled alcoholEthanolFTIRMethanolUV-Vis
spellingShingle Ronick S. Shadrack
Krishna K. Kotra
Daniel Tari
Hancy Tabi
Jacinta Botleng
Rolina Kelep
Ladyshia Regenvanu
A rapid method for methanol quantification in spirits using UV-visible spectroscopy and FTIR
PeerJ Analytical Chemistry
Distilled alcohol
Ethanol
FTIR
Methanol
UV-Vis
title A rapid method for methanol quantification in spirits using UV-visible spectroscopy and FTIR
title_full A rapid method for methanol quantification in spirits using UV-visible spectroscopy and FTIR
title_fullStr A rapid method for methanol quantification in spirits using UV-visible spectroscopy and FTIR
title_full_unstemmed A rapid method for methanol quantification in spirits using UV-visible spectroscopy and FTIR
title_short A rapid method for methanol quantification in spirits using UV-visible spectroscopy and FTIR
title_sort rapid method for methanol quantification in spirits using uv visible spectroscopy and ftir
topic Distilled alcohol
Ethanol
FTIR
Methanol
UV-Vis
url https://peerj.com/articles/achem-35.pdf
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