The use of fruitwood for aging distillates scientific substantiation as a prerequisite for the the Russian Federation technological sovereignty establishment
Authors:
Vladimir I. Chetverikov, Evgeny D. Rozhnov , Marina N. Shkolnikova
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to compare oak chips and those obtained from fruit tree pruning waste (apple, cherry, and pear) for accelerated distillate aging, as well as to analyze the influence of wood species and the degree of heat treatment on the physicochemical and analytical properties of the model distillate. The methodology included a full factorial experiment. The model distillate (50% vol.) was aged for 30 days at 35 °C with the addition of chips (10 g/dm³) of various wood species, subjected to mild (120 °C) and severe (180 °C) roasting. Standard physicochemical methods (pycnometry, titration), gas chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis were used to analyze the dynamics of key parameters. Statistical data processing was performed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Tukey test (p < 0.05). The authors performed all experiments in triplicate. Wood species and the degree of torrefaction were found to have a statistically significant effect on the extraction of target compounds. Three-phase kinetics of free acid accumulation and specific volatile profiles were identified. Cherry wood demonstrated uniquely high levels of benzaldehyde (4.38 mg/100 ml) and eugenol (11.45 mg/100 ml), surpassing oak in the latter indicator. Severe torrefaction led to a 17.5–22.0-fold increase in vanillin concentration, and a 50–60-fold increase in guaiacol concentration compared to untouched wood. Apple and pear wood demonstrated significant potential for vanillin accumulation (7.67 and 6.71 mg/100 ml, respectively), approaching the characteristics of oak (10.45 mg/100 ml). The obtained results can be applied to the production of distilled alcoholic beverages. The developed technology enables the creation of competitive products with a unique sensory profile and reduced cost, promotes import substitution, and implements circular economy principles through the recycling of garden waste. The results allow for targeted design of the organoleptic properties of distillates to create new market niches.
Keywords:
distillate aging; fruit wood; wood thermal treatment (roasting); chemical profile of distillate; organoleptic properties; import substitution; circular economy
For citation:
Chetverikov V.I., Rozhnov E.D., Shkolnikova M.N. The use of fruitwood for aging distillates scientific substantiation as a prerequisite for the the Russian Federation technological sovereignty establishment. Индустрия питания|Food Industry. 2025. Vol. 10, No. 4. Pp. 36–45. DOI: 10.29141/2500-1922-2025-10-4-4. EDN: HMKMTD.
