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Bugging Hop Analysis – on the Isomerization and Oxidation of Terpene Alcohols during Steam Distillation
N. Rettberg, S. Thörner, L.-A. Garbe

The major monoterpene alcohols of the hop essential oil undergo isomerization and oxidization reactions during steam distillation. Nerol and geraniol predominantly isomerize, their conversion gives rise to linalool and α-terpineol. Linalool is converted into isomeric furan and pyran linalool oxides, 2,6-dimethyl-3,7-octadiene-2,6-diol and 2,6-dimethyloct-7-en-2,6-diol. The chemical conversion of analytical targets during sample clean-up by steam distillation is objectionable and interferes with precise hop oil analysis.

Descriptors: hops, hop oil, mass spectrometry, analysis, linalool, oxidation

BrewingScience - Monatsschrift für Brauwissenschaft, 65 (July/August 2012), pp. 112-117