ABSTRACT Cachaça is a typical Brazilian spirit of significant economic and social relevance. The spirit may contain organic and inorganic contaminants that impair its quality, such as ethyl carbamate (EC), which is potentially carcinogenic. The study of factors that cause EC incidence is extremely important to produce cachaça with good physicochemical and sensory quality and for public health reasons. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze and quantify nitrogen (N) in sugarcane juice and correlate it with the EC levels, with copper (Cu) as precursor, in cachaça from stills, produced from the sugar of three different sugarcane varieties (RB857515, RB966928 and RB855453). We used the plantation systems without fertilization and with organic and conventional fertilization. The EC and Cu levels were below the legislation threshold and the N levels were correlated with EC formation in different planting systems.

The volatile compounds present in cachaça can derive from the raw material used in the production of the beverage, from the fermentative process, from distillation or aging. The aim of the research was to evaluate the volatile compounds, in the cachaças from stills produced with different sugarcane varieties, under the organic and conventional managements. The varieties RB867515, RB962869 and RB85553 were cultivated in three distinct ways, planting without fertilization (OUTF); organic planting (ORGN) and conventional planting (CONV). The results showed that for the total esters, higher alcohols and coefficient of congeners present in the cachaça, the varieties and managements are dependent, unlike volatile acidity, total aldehydes, methyl alcohol and furfural. Therefore, the quality, origin and lineage of the sugarcane variety used for the production of cachaça were confirmed to influence the chemical concentrations of the volatile compounds of the beverage, modifying its chemical profile. It is worth reinforcing that none of the volatiles presented concentration above that allowed by the Brazilian legislation.

ABSTRACT: Ethyl carbamate (EC) (NH2COOCH2CH3) is found in cachaça, and its presence in the beverage is conspicuous for its toxicity. Copper, the metal of choice used in the construction of stills, is also considered a beverage contaminant and is often related to the presence of EC in beverages. The study aimed to monitor the quality of cachaça by measuring the presence of copper and EC, and comparing the influences of sugarcane cultivation systems on the concentration of these contaminants. The varieties, RB 867515, RB 962869 and RB 85553, were cultivated under the following management systems: planting without fertilization; organic planting; and conventional planting. For cultivation, a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme of 3 varieties × 3 managements was used as experimental planning, in 4 replications. The concentrations of copper and EC in beverages were evaluated and submitted to univariate analysis of variance (p ≤ 0.05). The organic and conventional systems presented no significant variations in copper content, both of which are recommended for the planting of sugarcane as raw material for cachaça. From amongst the varieties evaluated, RB966928 presented the lowest concentrations of copper for the organic and conventional systems, and was the most recommended for the production of cachaça. To evaluate the EC concentration (μg L–1) in the cachaças produced, all beverages were considered in accordance with national legislation. Significant differences were observed between them, but the conventional and organic systems are favored for deployment in the cultivation of sugarcane as the raw material of cachaça. The same applies to the RB966928, RB867515 and RB855453 varieties.

ABSTRACT This review aims to demonstrate the possible formation of Ethyl carbamate (EC) in different production stages of cachaça. EC is a carcinogen confirmed in animal experiments and possibly carcinogenic to humans. EC incidence below relevant health limits naturally affects many fermented foods and beverages. Concentrations above 1 mg L–1 are often detected in certain spirits derived from cyanogenic plants. In Brazil, cachaça is widely consumed and therefore consumers are at health risk if they drink EC beverages at high concentrations, since the amount of EC in cachaça (sugar cane brandy) constantly exceeds the threshold 0.21 mg L–1, damaging the health of consumers and hindering exportation to North America and Europe. Many studies have reported on EC formation at different stages of the cachaça production process. Most studies refer to EC formation during fermentation and distillation. In fermentation, reaction occurs between ethanol and nitrogen precursors, such as urea (H2NCONH2) and cyanide (CN–) to form EC. In distillation, cupric ions catalyze cyanide conversion from EC; however, in discontinuous distillation, the bottling fraction of cachaça reduced EC concentration. Although this review describes the possible routes of EC formation at different production stages of cachaça, it presents some studies on EC reduction in alcoholic beverages.

A cachaça, produzida a partir da cana-de-açúcar, é considerada uma bebida genuinamente brasileira. A melhoria na qualidade da cachaça contribuiu para maior aceitação no mercado e maior volume de produção e exportação. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se as variedades (RB 867515, RB 966928 e RB 855453) e manejos de cultivos da cana-de-açúcar (sem adubação, orgânico e convencional) influenciam nas características sensoriais da cachaça. Utilizou-se a Análise Descritiva por Ordenação (ADO) e a aceitação. Os resultados mostraram a existência de diferenciação sensorial entre as bebidas de diferentes variedades e manejos. Estes, por sua vez, influenciaram os atributos sensoriais, avaliados por meio da ADO. Na opinião dos avaliadores durante a análise sensorial de aceitação, a cor não foi fator de diferenciação entre as bebidas, o aroma, sabor, corpo e impressão global podem ter influênciado na aceitação das cachaças produzidas a partir das variedades RB 855453 e RB 867515, na modalidade de manejo orgânico.

Cachaça, produced from sugar cane, is considered a genuine Brazilian drink. The improvement in the quality of cachaça contributed to greater acceptance in the market and greater volume of production and export. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the varieties (RB 867515, RB 966928 and RB 855453) and sugar cane crop management (without organic and conventional fertilization) influence the sensorial characteristics of cachaça. Descriptive Analysis by Ordination (ADO) and acceptance were used. The results showed the existence of sensorial differentiation between the drinks of different varieties and managements. These, in turn, influenced the sensory attributes, evaluated through ADO. In the opinion of the evaluators during the sensorial analysis of acceptance, color was not a factor of differentiation among beverages, aroma, flavor, body and overall impression may have influence of the acceptance of cachaças produced from varieties RB 855453 and RB 867515, in the organic management modality.