Expert Review Panel for Kombucha Tea

AOAC SPSFAM ERP REVIEW: MAIN FORM

Submission Date

2016-09-15 11:03:13

Name

Rachel Stryffeler

E-mail

rstryffeler@coca-cola.com

Organization

The Coca-Cola Company

Title of Method

Ethanol Analysis in Kombucha Drinks

AOAC Candidate Method Number (e.g. ALN-01)

KOM-03

Applicable SMPR

Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPRs®) for Determination of Ethanol in Kombucha

This method uses headspace analysis of ethanol by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the quantitation of ethanol in kombucha. Ethanol is purged from the diluted kombucha tea and concentrated on the trap, followed by separation and detection by GC-MS. This method is highly suitable for this application, however the report lacks some method and validation details.

I. Summary of Method

Summary:

1. Does the applicability of the method support the applicability of the SMPR? If not, please explain what is missing. II. Review of Method Only

GC-MS is a suitable technique for the quantitation of ethanol in liquid samples and is commonly used for the quantitation of ethanol and other volatiles in water, beverages and other liquid matrices.

2. Does the analytical technique(s) used in the method meet the SMPR? If not, please specify how it differs from what is stated in the SMPR. 3. Are the definitions specified in the SMPR used and applied appropriately in the method? If no, please indicate how the terms are used. 4. Does the method, as written, contain all appropriate precautions and warnings related to the method's reagents, components, instrumentation, or method steps that may be hazardous? If no, please suggest wording or option(s).

Yes.

In the method itself, there is mention of the “Method Detection Limit (MDL)”, yet no reference to the Limit of Quantitation (LOQ) specified by the SMPR. The “Calculation” section of the method mentions “Quantitation Limit”, but only the lowest point of the calibration curve is listed, which is not the true LOQ.

Yes.