Determination of glycols in potable water and alcoholic beverages by gas chromatography and chromatography-mass spectrometry

Toxic ethylene and diethylene glycols, and also ethylene glycol dimethyl et her, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-b utanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, and glycerol were determined in alcoholic beverages and potable water by gas ch romatography and chromatography-mass spectrometry simultaneously with other components of alcoholic beverages (higher alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ket ones, and volatile fatty acids). It was demonstrated that the chromatograph ic profile of glycols can serve as the identification criterion for the aut hentication of alcoholic beverages. The analyses were performed using HPFFA P open tubular columns with a length of 5 and 25 m and an inner diameter of 0.32 mm. Before the analysis, samples of wine were treated with activated carbon to remove high-molecular components. The detection limit of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol in potable water after sample preconcentratio n by evaporation in a nitrogen flow is 0.2 mg/L.