Chemical Typification of the Sugarcane Spirits Produced in São Paulo State.
To typify São Paulo State sugarcane spirits, 37 chemical compounds were analyzed in 81 Brazilian sugarcane spirits (cachaça), which were produced in different cities from São Paulo State. Among these samples, 56 were distilled in copper alembics, and the other 25 were distilled in steel columns. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed with both chemical data sets. The chemical profiles of the cachaças distilled in the column apparatus formed 4 specific clusters, which correspond to 4 distinct geographic regions of São Paulo State. For the cachaças that were distilled in copper alembics, 2 cachaça clusters were formed; however, no correlation between their respective chemical similarities and geographical origins was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study aims to differentiate the many sugarcane spirits that are produced throughout Brazil’s São Paulo State using chemical analysis with chemometric tools. This contribution is expected to improve the production process of cachaças, map the regions that produce the best cachaças, and assure consumers about a product’s provenance.
Dept. de Química e Física Molecular, IQSC, Univ. de São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São Carlense 400, CP 780, CEP 13560-970, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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Serafim
Labfor Precisão em análises, Rua Guapuruvu, 262, Loteamento Alphaville Campinas, CEP 13098-322, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Reche
Dept. de Química e Física Molecular, IQSC, Univ. de São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São Carlense 400, CP 780, CEP 13560-970, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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Franco
D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D019149:Bioreactors; D001938:Brazil; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003300:Copper; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D031786:Saccharum / Q000737:chemistry*; D013232:Steel
D010936:Plant Extracts; D013232:Steel; D003300:Copper
São Paulo State; chemical analysis; chemometrics; geographical origin; sugarcane spirits