Influence of the distillation processes from Rio de Janeiro in the ethyl carbamate formation in Brazilian sugar cane spirits

Ethyl carbamate (EC) or urethane, a potentially carcinogenic substance found in significant amounts in distilled fermented beverages, has become the main technical obstacle to the exportation of Brazilian sugar cane spirits (cachaças). In this evaluation, the EC levels were measured in samples of recently distilled beverages and of finished products, collected at 28 production plants using different distillation systems, from various regions of the state of Rio de Janeiro. The results obtained through GC–MS, using selective monitoring of ions with m/z 62 and 74, showed that approximately 45% of the products and raw materials are above the maximum allowed value of 150 μg/l, with an EC average value of 160 μg/l. The lower values were those for samples from alembics using low temperature and high reflux rate distillation, which emphasized the role of these two variables on the EC levels.