Levels of copper in 'cachaca' samples produced in the Northwest region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

摘要

25 samples of cachaca produced and marketed in 17 cities of 4 microregions that integrate the northwest of Rio Grande do Sul (Ijui, Cruz Alta, Santa Rosa and Tres Passos) were analysed and were compared with the standard. Sensory evaluation was performed. The alcoholic content was determined using densitometric method and copper content was determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. ANOVA and Tukey tests were applied. 42.86% of the samples from Tres Passos had an alcoholic content below the standard. Copper levels were highest in samples from the same microregion (10.22 mg/litre). Samples from Cruz Alta had the lowest copper level (2.95 mg/litre). The samples from Ijui and Tres Passos presented statistically significant difference in the average copper level as compared to samples from the other microregions. The average for the copper levels in 4 microregions was 5.71 mg/litre; the value was above the maximum limit of 5 mg/litre..