Quantitative Determination of Ethanol and Methanol in non-alcoholic Fermented Beverages and Herbal Distillates: Analytical Toxicology Perspectives

Non-alcoholic fermented beverages and herbal distillates are among the popular beverages in Iran. Therefore their safety is of great issue. Many reports indicate that these beverages are contaminated with ethanol and methanol. There are always questions about alcoholic content of beverages from jurisdiction authorities. The aim of the present study was to analyze some brands of herbal distillates and non-alcoholic fermented beverages available in Iran market to determine ethanol and methanol concentrations.
A total of five brands of non-alcoholic beverages and five brands of herbal distillates were selected. Ten samples from each brand (totally 100 samples) were randomly bought from market. Ethanol and methanol concentrations were determined using headspace gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector. Acetonitrile was applied as internal standard. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.
Findings: Results of the present study showed that none of the herbal distillates or non-alcoholic beverages contained ethanol and methanol more than maximum allowable limits. However mean ethanol concentration (with ethanol content of 0.59% volume/volume=v/v) was significantly higher in ten samples of one brand of fermented non-alcoholic beverages in comparison to other brands (p Ethanol and methanol concentrations were non-toxic in non-alcoholic fermented beverages and herbal distillates. Presence of ethanol and methanol in food stuff above accepted limit has life-threatening consequences so the quality control of herbal products and non-alcoholic beverages is needed for safety and it should be conducted periodically for public health guarantee.