Breakthrough Methanol Detection Technology for Distilled Beverages Enters Large-Scale Production Testing
A breakthrough technology for detecting methanol in distilled beverages is advancing to the next stage aimed at large-scale production, according to researchers from the Department and Postgraduate Program in Chemistry (PPGQ) at the State University of Paraíba (UEPB). This innovative method, capable of identifying methanol contamination in alcoholic drinks rapidly and without even opening the bottle, is about to undergo scientific trials. The research, spearheaded by David Douglas Sousa Fernandes, gained significant attention due to the rising number of methanol poisoning cases and is set to enter real sample testing soon, with trials expected to start on October 13. The researchers will perform systematic and rigorous tests to validate the efficacy, safety, and reliability of the technology.
Using Infrared Light to Detect Methanol Contamination
The new system employs infrared light to detect foreign substances in the original composition of the beverage. As the light interacts with the drink, different molecular vibrations occur, each unique to the kind of molecule present. Specialized software then analyzes the data and displays whether adulterants such as methanol, added water, or even vehicular ethanol are present.
Technology Developed Before Recent Methanol Poisoning Surge
This groundbreaking research began development in 2023 at the Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Chemometrics in collaboration with professors Railson de Oliveira Ramos and Germano Veras, among others. Initially, the focus was on analyzing the quality of cachaça produced in the Paraíba region. However, the team expanded their study to include methanol detection due to increasing incidences of poisoning cases. Remarkably, this detection method does not require chemicals and achieves 97% accuracy within seconds.
Innovative Drinking Straw Enhances Safety
The team is also developing a low-cost, sustainable drinking straw that changes color upon contact with methanol. Functioning similarly to a pregnancy test, this innovation is set to begin trials soon on consumer safety. These sustainable straws are being manufactured at the Campina Grande Technology Park Foundation with utmost care to avoid contamination.
Professor Railson de Oliveira Ramos explained that this method is more accessible and can be utilized by beverage distributors, bar owners, and restaurant proprietors who can be trained to verify whether the product contains methanol. “The objective is to pack reagents in a biodegradable straw that acts like a chromatographic column. As the fluid rises via capillarity, it interacts with the reagents, causing an external color change,” he noted.
Potential for Widespread Implementation
The UEPB-developed technology could see expansive use by regulatory bodies, producers, and merchants, thus bolstering alcohol consumption safety nationwide. Developed with contributions from the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB) and backed by the Paraíba Research Support Foundation (FAPESQ), part of the Paraíba government, this initiative follows the analysis of 462 samples of the traditional Paraíba drink, cachaça.
With the alarming rise in methanol poisoning cases in Brazil, the UEPB researchers’ efforts caught the attention of the Health Ministry. Minister Alexandre Padilha expressed interest in potentially turning this technology into public policy. The meeting involved various stakeholders, including UEPB’s rector Professor Celia Regina Diniz and Professor Nadja Oliveira, the Pro-Rector for Postgraduate and Research, who emphasized the need for resources to scale the technology and distribute low-cost solutions across Brazil.
