Assessment of the Authenticity of Whisky Samples Based on the Multi-Elemental and Multivariate Analysis.

Two hundred and five samples of whisky, including 170 authentic and 35 fake products, were analyzed in terms of their elemental profiles in order to distinguish them according to the parameter of their authenticity. The study of 31 elements (Ag, Al, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Te, Tl, U, V, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, P, S, Ti and Zn) was performed using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Cold Vapor-Atomic Absorption (CVAAS) techniques. Additionally, the pH values of all samples were determined by pH-meter, and their isotopic ratios of 88Sr/86Sr, 84Sr/86Sr, 87Sr/86Sr and 63Cu/65Cu were assessed, based on the number of counts by ICP-MS. As a result of conducted research, elements, such as Mn, K, P and S, were identified as markers of whisky adulteration related to the age of alcohol. The concentrations of manganese, potassium and phosphorus were significantly lower in the fake samples (which were not aged, or the aging period was much shorter than legally required), compared to the original samples (in all cases subjected to the aging process). The observed differences were related to the migration of these elements from wooden barrels to the alcohol contained in them. On the other hand, the sulfur concentration in the processed samples was much higher in the counterfeit samples than in the authentic ones. The total sulfur content, such as that of alkyl sulfides, decreases in alcohol with aging in the barrels. Furthermore, counterfeit samples can be of variable origin and composition, so they cannot be characterized as one group with identical or comparable features. Repeatedly, the element of randomness dominates in the production of these kinds of alcohols. However, as indicated in this work, the extensive elemental analysis supported by statistical tools can be helpful, especially in the context of detecting age-related adulteration of whisky. The results presented in this paper are the final part of a comprehensive study on the influence of selected factors on the elemental composition of whisky.

The impact of demographic factors, behaviors and environmental exposure to mercury content in the hair of the population living in the region of Lodz (central Poland).

The aim of this work was to access the influence of different factors such as sex, age, fish consumption, hair dyeing or smoking habit on the content of mercury in human hair samples. The research was carried on 444 samples (102 males and 342 females) collected from the population of people living in the region of Lodz (central Poland). The content of mercury in human hair samples was determined using the Mercury Analyzer MA 3000 (Nippon Instruments, Japan). The obtained results were elaborated using Statistica ver. 10.0 software. The mean value of mercury in investigated human hair samples was found to be 0.174±0.137mg/kg. We observed the statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) between the content of Hg in hair of the studied population and factors such as gender, age, and fish consumption. However, no statistically significant differences were found in relation to cosmetic treatment such as hair dyeing or smoking.

Human hair analysis in relation to similar environmental and occupational exposure.

The aim of this work was to assess the influence of various factors on the elemental composition of the investigated hair samples. The studied population consisted of students of Faculty of Chemistry at Lodz University of Technology and included 95 subjects. The following elements: Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Sr, Pb were determined by inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry ICP-TOF-MS. The obtained results were elaborated using Statistica ver. 10.0 software. Statistically significant differences were observed for the content of Cr, Li, Pb and Sr as the impact of sex, and Sr-as the effect of cosmetic treatment. Based on the calculated Spearman correlation coefficients, a statistically significant correlation between the concentration of pairs of metals were found for Pb=f(Co, Cr, Cu); Sr=f(Cu); Li=f(Cr), Cr=f(Li, Pb), Co=f(Pb) and Cu=f(Pb, Sr). A statistically negative correlation was obtained for Sr-Li. In the population two groups were distinguished: males and females; smokers and non-smokers.