Anotace:
A study for determination of the volatile composition of distillates with the addition of 50% and 70% ethanol extracts of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatym L) was conducted. The extracts were added in amounts of 20, 80, 100, 200, 400 and 600 ml. The remaining amount to liter was pure distillate obtained from the grapes of the variety “Melnik-55”. Gas chromatographic (GC-FID) analysis for identification and quantification of the volatile components in the distillates obtained was performed. Various compounds from the groups of esters, higher alcohols, aldehydes and terpene alcohols have been identified. The methanol levels were found to be highest in the control sample (364.74 ± 0.32 mg/dm3) and proportionally decreased with increasing of the fraction of added extract in the experimental variants. This contributed to obtained of the alcoholic distillate with decreased methanol content. A similar decrease in the amounts of acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate was observed. This reduced the harmful aromatic nuances that these compounds impart when they were in higher amounts. Four major higher alcohols have been identified - 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-butanol and 1-propanol. The ester composition was diverse, quantitatively dominated by the presence of ethyl acetate. A higher total terpene content was detected in the samples with the addition of Hypericum perforatym L extract compared to the control. This indicated increased final concentrations in the distillates (a consequence of the terpene composition of the herb), which may intensify its biological effect. The produced distillates with added extracts of Hypericum perforatym L can be used for obtaining of new higher alcoholic beverages with added medicinal herb extracts.