GC Analysis of Aroma Fusel Alcohols in Canadian Whiskey on Watercol^™ 1910

Watercol 1910, 30 m x 0.25 mm I.D., 0.20 μm ; two identical columns installed in the same inlet, each going to a separate detector (29711-U)

50 °C (1 min), 5 °C/min to 180 °C (3 min)

250 °C

FID, 200 °C; TCD, 200 °C

helium, 25 cm/sec (measured in each column at an oven temperature of 125 °C)

1 μL, 100:1 split

4 mm I.D., split/splitless type, wool packed single taper FocusLiner^™ design (2633901)

neat Canadian whiskey

Fusel alcohols are by-products of the fermentation process. Four of these (n-propanol, isobutanol, active amyl alcohol, and isoamyl alcohol) are important to alcoholic beverage manufacturers due to their aroma characteristics.

The "Watercol" series of ionic liquid capillary GC columns are characterized by their ability to produce a sharp peak shape for water, sharp enough so that water can be integrated and quantified. Sharp peak shapes are also produced for many other small polar analytes, such as the four aroma fusel alcohols.

In this application, a brandy sample was analyzed for the presence of aroma fusel alcohols. As shown, great peak shapes were obtained, resulting in good resolution. In addition to sharp fusel alcohol peaks, the column′s selectivity results in elution of both ethanol and water free from all analytes.

FocusLiner is a trademark of SGE Analytical Science Pty Ltd., Watercol is a trademark of Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC