Determinação dos teores de cobre e grau alcoólico em aguardentes de cana produzidas no estado de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Recebido em 1/8/05; aceito em 17/10/05; publicado na web em 14/6/06 DETERMINATION OF COPPER AND ALCOHOL CONTENTS IN SUGAR CANE SPIRITS PRODUCED IN THE STATE OF MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL. The objective of this work was to investigate if producers of sugar cane spirits in Minas Gerais, Brazil, have improved the copper content of their products and also if they have adjusted to the new standards of identity for 'cachaça' and 'aguardente'. Seventy-one samples, obtained from May 2003 until March 2004, were analyzed. Mean copper content was 2.30 mg/L, which indicates a significant reduction in levels. The mean alcohol content was 45.6 % v/v. All of the 'aguardente' but only 79% of the 'cachaça' attended to the standard of identity for alcohol content for these products.