Production and characterization of a novel distilled alcoholic beverage produced from blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Introduction. The cultivation of underutilized berries and the process production of high-value-added products, such as fruit-based spirits, could have a beneficial effect on the economy of disadvantaged rural mountain areas of Spain. However, production of a distilled alcoholic beverage from the blueberry has not been reported before. Materials and methods. The pulp of blueberries var. Bluecrop was fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae IFI83, distilled by using a steam drag distillation system and the volatile compounds were determined by gas chromatography. Results and discussion. In the distillate obtained, the mean concentrations of ethanol (45.3 mL 100 mL(-1) distillate), volatile substances (317.1 g hL(-1) absolute alcohol) and methanol (261.0 g hL(-1) absolute alcohol) were in accordance with the specifications that the European Council (Regulation 110/2008) fixed for these compounds. In addition, the ratios [3-methyl-1-butanol/2-methyl-1-propanol] and [2-methyl-1-propanol/1-propanol] were 2.60 and 1.34, respectively, indicating that the distilled alcoholic beverage has a good organoleptic quality. Conclusion. The results suggest that blueberry can be successfully used for the production of a novel spirit with a good sensory quality that is safe for the consumers.