Use of the enantiomeric composition for the assessment of the authenticity of fruit beverages

Enantiomeric compositions of chiral terpenes in commercial fruit beverages were examined by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography (SPME-GC). Optimization of the method was accomplished on the basis of some parameters involved in the extraction, such as heating temperature and extraction time, that provided the highest peak areas, 60 degrees C and 2 min being the optimal values. With the proposed method relative standard deviation (RSD) values from three replicates ranging from 2 to 12% were obtained. The enantiomeric distribution of some terpenes remained constant, whereas other terpenes (linalool, terpinen-4-ol, and alpha-terpineol) exhibited a considerable variation among samples. This can be indicative of the eventual addition of aromas to some fruit beverages.