Quantitative HPLC analysis of acids in Brazilian cachacas and various spirits using fluorescence detection of their 9-anthrylmethyl esters

An analytical procedure for the separation and quantification of 17 short-c hain, medium-chain, and long-chain acids in cachacas and various spirits ha s been developed involving C18 solid phase extraction, derivatization with 9-anthryldiazomethane, and reverse phase HPLC using fluorescence detection. The limit of detection was between 5 and 15 fmol, whereas the recovery of nonanoic acid as internal standard was > 95%. Relative standard deviation v alues for reproducibility were between 0.09 and 20.4%, and repeatability wa s between 0.05 and 11.3%.