Alcohol Tests

What is an Alcohol Test?

Alcohol tests are analytical procedures used to quantitatively determine the type and concentration of alcohol in a product, primarily ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol).

Analytical Methods Employed

GC-FID (Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionization Detector)

This is the most common and reliable method for alcohol analysis.
It separates and measures volatile components such as ethanol, isopropanol, and methanol. The alcohol content is determined in weight or volume percent.
It provides extremely accurate and repeatable results.

HPLC, FTIR, and Spectrophotometry

While these methods can be employed in certain specialized applications, GC-FID remains the most standard-compliant method.

Why is this important?

• Efficacy: Hand sanitizers must contain at least 60% (v/v) alcohol to be effective.
• Regulatory Obligation: According to the Biocidal Products Regulation, the alcohol content must be declared and correspond to the stated declaration.
• Methanol Control: Methanol is a toxic alcohol, posing a public health risk, especially when found in counterfeit disinfectants.
• Labeling Accuracy: The alcohol content stated on the product packaging must be verified through analysis.
• International Conformity: Compliance with limits established by institutions such as the European Pharmacopoeia, WHO, and EPA is mandatory.

Our Analytical Scope

• Alcohol Content (Volume Percent)
• Total Acidity (grams/hectoliter in 100% alcohol as acetic acid)
• Esters (grams/hectoliter in 100% alcohol as ethyl acetate)
• Aldehydes (grams/hectoliter in 100% alcohol as acetaldehyde)
• Higher Alcohols (grams/hectoliter in 100% alcohol as methyl-2-propanol)
• Methanol (grams/hectoliter in 100% alcohol)
• Residue on Evaporation (grams/hectoliter in 100% alcohol)
• Volatile Nitrogenous Bases (in 100% alcohol in grams/hectoliter as nitrogen)
• Furfural Determination
• Denatonium Benzoate Determination
• Tertiary Butyl Alcohol Determination
• Diethyl Phthalate Determination
• Isopropanol Determination
• Gasoline Determination
• Density Determination
• Evaporation Residue
• C14 Content
• Permanganate Determination
• UV Test
• Refractive Index (20 °C) Determination
• Determination of Specific Gravity
• Determination of Distillation Weight
• Determination of Non-Volatile Content
• Determination of Water Content