In this study, we utilized 2H SNIF NMR and chemometric techniques to differentiate the botanical origin of raw materials used in vodka production in Poland, specifically focusing on plants with C3 metabolism such as grain, potato, and sugar beet. Additionally, for the first time, mixtures of alcohols from different C3 plants were analysed to detect adulteration. Our goal was to determine if it is possible to detect the addition of a different raw material in vodka made from a mixture of alcohols derived from C3 plants. Significant isotopic differences were confirmed using analysis of variance and Tukey's tests. Linear relationships in grain-potato, grain-sugar beet, and beet-potato mixtures enabled composition determination. The detectability threshold for adulterants ranged from 10 % to 50 %, depending on the type of raw material. Our findings suggest that 2H SNIF-NMR is an effective tool for authenticating vodka and detecting adulteration in products marketed as "Polish vodka."
Keywords: Authentication; Botanical origin; Isotopic content; Polish vodka; SNIF-NMR.
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