Analysis of Volatile Compounds in Soju, a Korean Distilled Spirit, by SPME-Arrow-GC/MS

The SPME Arrow technology—a novel solid phase micro-extraction technique—was used to analyze Soju, a traditional Korean distilled liquor, in barrels made of Quercus spp. The volatile compounds detected when the barrels were toasted were analyzed. Five types of sorbents—carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane, divinylbenzene/carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane, divinylbenzene/polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, and polyacrylate—were used for this investigation. Fifty-four volatile compounds were detected in Soju using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A high extraction efficiency was obtained using carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane. Nineteen samples were analyzed using barrels made of six species of carbonated oak (Q. aliena, Q. variabilis, Q. dentate, Q. acutissima, Q. mongolica, and Q. serrata) and control groups in three ways: noncharring, medium charring, and heavy charring. Ethanol, 1-propanol, isoamyl acetate, and isoamyl alcohol can be used as indicator volatile components for Soju and other such traditional Korean distilled liquors. We believe our study results can be used to design better analysis methods for Soju and other distilled liquors.