IVAS 2022 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 IVAS 9 IVAS 2022 9 High density balsamic vinegar: application of stable isotope ratio analysis to determine watering down.

High density balsamic vinegar: application of stable isotope ratio analysis to determine watering down.

Abstract

Aceto balsamico di Modena IGP (ABM) is an Italian worldwide appreciated PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) vinegar,  obtained from cooked and/or concentrated grape must (at least 20% of the volume), with the addition of at least 10% of wine vinegar and a maximum 2% of caramel for color stability (EU Reg. 583/ 2009). The geographical origin of ABM ingredients is never specified.
Since 2013, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has issued a method for determining the water fraudulently added to the vinegar and the balsamic vinegar product (EN16466-3 18O-IRMS). The method is based on the stable isotope ratios analysis of the bulk AMB sample (expressed as δ18O in ‰ with respect to the international standard V-SMOW2).
Balsamic vinegars with very high density (higher than 1.37 g / mL of sugar) are available on the market. They are obtained by adding a high amount of concentrated must or by a long aging of the product in the barrel, which leads to an intense evaporation and concentration.
Products with such high density cannot be analyzed by using the official method as reported in the EN16466-3 18O-IRMS. Indeed, in this conditions, the equilibration between CO2 and the water in the sample, being the base principle of the process, does not occur.
In this work, the official method has been modified and validated, calculating repeatability (r) and reproducibility (R), by proceeding with a prior dilution of the sample and by applying a correction to the data in order to eliminate the diluent isotopic contribution. Considering the limit value of δ18O for a non-watered product reported in the literature for vinegar and for rectified concentrated must [1-2], the threshold limit of δ18O below which the ABM product can be considered as adulterated was identified.

References

[1] J. Agric. Food Chem. 2014, 62, 32, 8197–8203
[2] Food Control 2013, 29(1), 107–111

DOI:

Publication date: June 24, 2022

Issue: IVAS 2022

Type: Poster

Authors

Perini Matteo1, Pianezze Silvia1 and Paolini Mauro

1FONDAZIONE EDMUND MACH

Contact the author

Keywords

stable isotope analysis, balsamic vinegar, high density, watering down

Tags

IVAS 2022 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Application of nitrogen forms such as nitrate, urea, and amino acids effects on leaf and berry physiology and wine quality

Nitrogen (N) uptake by grapevine roots in forms like nitrate, ammonium, urea, or amino acids influences vegetative and generative growth, impacting grape quality and wine sensory profile. The study examined nitrogen’s influence on phenolic compounds in leaves, berries, and wine across different scales — hydroponics, soil culture, and vineyard trials. Nitrogen forms altered metabolite patterns in leaves and wine significantly, affecting aroma and flavor. Key nitrogen assimilation enzymes (NR, NiR, GS) in grapevine rootstocks responded to nitrogen forms and timing. Hydroponically grown rootstocks fertilized with various forms showed differences in enzyme expression and activity, suggesting rootstocks can assimilate amino acid glutamine (Gln).

Read More

Conservation of intravarietal diversity in France: exhaustive overview and perspectives

Since the renewal of the French vineyard after the Phylloxera crisis, the panorama of cultivated varieties has dramatically changed. This current genetic erosion is due to the increasing interest

Read More

A multidisciplinary approach to assess the impact of future drought scenarios on vineyard ecosystems

Drought events can strongly affect grapevine and berry physiology and subsequent wine quality, as widely demonstrated in controlled experiments.

Read More

The history of the first demarkated wine region of the world – the Tokaj wine region

The optimal climatic conditions of the region were proved in 1867, when a leaf-print of Vitis tokaiensis was found in a stone from miocen age (13 million years ago).

Read More

Characterization of berry softening and sugar accumulation dynamics in a slow-ripening genotype and its response to abscisic acid treatments

In the current viticultural context, global warming leads to advanced and possibly accelerated ripening which can alter the balance among desirable grape quality traits sought for winemaking. Evaluation of genetic material that displays delayed and/or slower ripening could uncover a potential “slow ripening” trait for incorporation into commercial varieties through breeding. In this study, we evaluated a white-fruited selection discovered in the Grape Breeding and Genetics program at E. & J. Gallo Winery that displayed an unusual ripening pattern compared to standard varieties. Vines of the slow-ripening selection did not differ in their visual appearance, water status or gas exchange characteristics compared to vines of its normal-ripening sibling.

Read More