Analyzing Toxic Chemical Components in Illegal Alcoholic Beverages
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 10 No. 3 (2020),
27 September 2020
Abstract
Background: The illegal production of alcoholic beverages, due to the non-standard conditions, increases the risk of producing counterfeit and toxic products. The chemical analysis of toxic components in illegally-produced alcoholic beverages is necessary for each country. The present study aimed to identify the existence of methanol and other potentially toxic compounds in the seized illegally-produced alcoholic beverages.
Methods: In this descriptive laboratory-based study, we analyzed the toxic chemical components in sized illegally-produced alcoholic beverages, submitted to the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory of the Legal Medicine Center of Markazi Province, Arak City, Iran, in a year. A total of 100 seized illegally-produced alcohol beverage samples were collected. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and acetone was performed by the Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC–FID) method.
Results: Methanol was detected in 6% of the evaluated samples (concentration range:1.2%-12%v/v). Acetone was detected in two of the studied samples (mean concentration: 0.7%v/v), and 2-propanol with a concentration of 0.5%v/v was found in one sample. Besides, ethanol was detected in all explored samples (mean concentration: 24%v/v).
Conclusion: Methanol was the main toxic chemical component in illegal alcoholic beverages; thus, it should be considered in public health policy and prevention programs in the country.
- Adulteration
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chemical analysis
- Methanol
How to Cite
References
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