GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF TYROSOL AND TRYPTOPHOL IN WINES AND BEERS

Abstract

A gas chromatographic method for the determination of tyrosol and tryptophol in wines and beers has been developed. The aromatic fusel alcohols are extracted with ether or ethyl acetate from a sample made alkaline with Na₂CO₃ and saturated with NaCl. In beer determinations the extraction is performed with ethyl acetate in order to avoid complications caused by emulsion. Most of the solvent is removed by distillation and the rest is cautiously allowed to evaporate. The gas chromatographic determination of tyrosol and tryptophol is performed in a 0·5-m. Apiezon M-DEGS column at 190°C. According to the infra-red spectra, both components are eluted without being decomposed at this temperature. In the grape wines investigated, tyrosol was found in amounts of 10–40 mg. per litre, in two Finnish berry wines 10–15 mg. per litre and in two different types of pale lager beers 5–10 mg. per litre. The same samples contained about 1–4 mg. tryptophol per litre. The two white grape wines and one red berry wine were exceptional, with only 0·2–0·3 mg. tryptophol per litre.