A cachaça, tradicional e popular bebida brasileira, é obtida por meio da destilação do mosto fermentado de cana de açúcar. Dentre as etapas do processo de produção da bebida, o envelhecimento natural consiste em armazená-la em recipientes de madeira apropriados por um tempo determinado, onde ocorrem alterações na composição química, aroma, sabor e cor da bebida. Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar um acompanhamento da composição fenólica em diferentes períodos de envelhecimento da cachaça em tonel de carvalho (Quercus sp.). Foram realizadas coletas periódicas durante o período de envelhecimento da cachaça em tonel de carvalho e realizaram-se análise de treze compostos fenólicos utilizando a técnica de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detector de arranjo de diodos (HPLC-DAD). Foi constatado um aumento progressivo na concentração dos compostos analisados ao longo do período analisado, sendo que os compostos encontrados em maior concentração foram siringaldeído e ácido gálico.

Cachaça is a traditional and popular Brazilian drink obtained by distilling fermented sugar cane juice. Among the steps involved in its production, natural aging in wood containers for a certain period of time can lead to alterations in the chemical composition, aroma, flavor and color of the beverage. The present work sought to determine the concentration of phenolic compounds after different periods of aging of the cachaça in an oak (Quercus sp.) barrel. Periodic collections during the aging period were performed, and thirteen selected phenolic compounds were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD). A progressive increase in the concentration of the compounds analyzed was observed, with syringaldehyde and gallic acid as the compounds encountered in the highest concentration.

The yields and chemical compositions of the essential oils obtained by steam distillation of the fresh and dried (30 and 40 ºC) leaves, stems and roots of Tanaecium nocturnum are reported. The identification and quantification of the volatile constituents were accomplished by GC/MS and GC/FID, respectively. The essential oils obtained from the various parts of the plant were constituted mainly of benzaldehyde. Large losses and variations in the quantities of the components during the drying process were observed. The presence of mandelonitrile in higher concentration in the stem and roots indicates that this species produces cyanogenic glycosides.

The identification of the chemical compounds of the essential oil was performed with a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer. The oil was left in the presence and absence of light and submitted to different temperatures to evaluate its stability. The yields of the major compounds were evaluated every fifteen days. Citral and myrcene, the major compounds of the essential oil, were degraded over time in both the presence and absence of light, but temperature only influenced the degradation of myrcene.