Analysis of Ethyl Alcohol Levels in Soju Drinks with Gas Chromatography Methods and Measurement of Specific Gravity at the Medan Items Testing and Identification Center
Introduction
The Center for Testing and Identification of Goods (BPIB) Medan has conducted an analysis of ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks using two methods: measurement of specific gravity and gas chromatography. This study aims to compare the results of these two methods and determine the accuracy and validity of the analysis. The analysis of ethyl alcohol levels is an important part of the quality control of alcoholic drinks, ensuring compliance with established standards, consumer safety, information disclosure, and fulfillment of regulations.
Background
Soju is a popular Korean spirit that has gained worldwide recognition for its unique flavor and high alcohol content. However, the quality and safety of soju drinks can be compromised if the ethyl alcohol levels are not within the established standards. The Indonesian National Standard (SNI) sets the maximum limit of ethyl alcohol in soju drinks at 18.26%. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks to ensure compliance with SNI standards.
Methodology
The analysis of ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks was conducted using two methods: measurement of specific gravity and gas chromatography.
Measurement of Specific Gravity
The method of measurement of specific gravity is a classic and relatively cheap method that involves distillation of the soju drink. The distillate is then measured using a pyretometer scale, and the results are matched with a table to determine the ethyl alcohol levels. This method is easy to perform and requires minimal equipment, but it has a limited level of accuracy, especially for complex samples such as soju drinks.
Gas Chromatography
The gas chromatography method uses an instrument equipped with a flame ionization detector to separate and identify the components of the soju drink. This method has a higher level of accuracy and is able to identify other components in the sample, but it requires more expensive equipment and more complex processes.
Results
The results of the analysis showed that the ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks using the method of measurement of specific gravity were 17.29%, while the gas chromatography method showed 18.26%. Both methods showed that the ethyl alcohol levels in the soju drink have met SNI standards.
Discussion
The use of two analytical methods is an important step to ensure the accuracy and validity of the results. The method of measurement of specific gravity is an easy and relatively cheap classic method, but it has a limited level of accuracy, especially for complex samples such as soju drinks. On the other hand, the gas chromatography method has a higher level of accuracy and is able to identify other components in the sample, but it requires more expensive equipment and more complex processes.
Importance of Analysis of Ethyl Alcohol Levels
Analysis of ethyl alcohol levels is an important part of the quality control of alcoholic drinks. In addition to ensuring compliance with established standards, this analysis is also important to:
Consumer Safety
Excessive alcohol content can be dangerous for health. This analysis helps ensure that alcoholic drinks are safe for consumption.
Information Disclosure
Consumers are entitled to accurate information about alcohol content in the drinks they consume.
Fulfillment of Regulations
Government Regulations regarding alcohol content in alcoholic drinks need to be obeyed to maintain public security and order.
Conclusion
Analysis of ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks with two methods, namely measurement of specific gravity and gas chromatography, has shown consistent results and meets SNI standards. The use of these two methods provides stronger evidence and increases trust in the results of the analysis. Therefore, it is recommended that the analysis of ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks be conducted using both methods to ensure accuracy and validity.
Recommendation
Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the analysis of ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks be conducted using both methods: measurement of specific gravity and gas chromatography. This will provide stronger evidence and increase trust in the results of the analysis. Additionally, it is recommended that the results of the analysis be disclosed to consumers to ensure that they have accurate information about the alcohol content in the drinks they consume.
Limitation
This study has some limitations. The sample size was limited to only one type of soju drink, and the analysis was conducted using only two methods. Therefore, further studies are needed to confirm the results of this study and to explore the use of other analytical methods.
Future Study
Future studies should aim to:
Conduct a larger sample size to confirm the results of this study
Explore the use of other analytical methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
Investigate the effect of different factors, such as temperature and humidity, on the analysis of ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks
References
Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 2018. Alcoholic Beverages - Determination of Ethyl Alcohol Content.
World Health Organization (WHO) 2018. Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2019. Alcohol and Public Health.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to acknowledge the Center for Testing and Identification of Goods (BPIB) Medan for providing the facilities and equipment for this study. We would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Analysis of Ethyl Alcohol Levels in Soju Drinks
Q: What is the purpose of analyzing ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks?
A: The purpose of analyzing ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks is to ensure compliance with established standards, consumer safety, information disclosure, and fulfillment of regulations.
Q: What are the two methods used to analyze ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks?
A: The two methods used to analyze ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks are measurement of specific gravity and gas chromatography.
Q: What is the difference between measurement of specific gravity and gas chromatography?
A: Measurement of specific gravity is a classic and relatively cheap method that involves distillation of the soju drink, while gas chromatography is a more accurate method that uses an instrument equipped with a flame ionization detector to separate and identify the components of the soju drink.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?
A: The advantages of measurement of specific gravity are that it is easy to perform and requires minimal equipment, while the disadvantages are that it has a limited level of accuracy, especially for complex samples such as soju drinks. The advantages of gas chromatography are that it has a higher level of accuracy and is able to identify other components in the sample, while the disadvantages are that it requires more expensive equipment and more complex processes.
Q: What are the consequences of excessive alcohol content in soju drinks?
A: Excessive alcohol content can be dangerous for health, and this analysis helps ensure that alcoholic drinks are safe for consumption.
Q: Why is it important to disclose the results of the analysis to consumers?
A: Consumers are entitled to accurate information about alcohol content in the drinks they consume, and disclosing the results of the analysis helps ensure that consumers have accurate information.
Q: What are the government regulations regarding alcohol content in alcoholic drinks?
A: Government regulations regarding alcohol content in alcoholic drinks need to be obeyed to maintain public security and order.
Q: What are the limitations of this study?
A: The sample size was limited to only one type of soju drink, and the analysis was conducted using only two methods.
Q: What are the recommendations for future studies?
A: Future studies should aim to conduct a larger sample size, explore the use of other analytical methods, and investigate the effect of different factors on the analysis of ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks.
Q: What are the references used in this study?
A: The references used in this study include the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) 2018, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2019.
Q: What is the acknowledgement of this study?
A: The authors would like to acknowledge the Center for Testing and Identification of Goods (BPIB) Medan for providing the facilities and equipment for this study, and thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions.
Q: What is the conclusion of this study?
A: Analysis of ethyl alcohol levels in soju drinks with two methods, namely measurement of specific gravity and gas chromatography, has shown consistent results and meets SNI standards. The use of these two methods provides stronger evidence and increases trust in the results of the analysis.