Problems of Forensic Sciences 2005 Vol. 63 (LXIII) 270-274
DETERMINATION OF DENATONIUM BENZOATE (BITREX) IN ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS BY LC-APCI-MS
Grzegorz BUSZEWICZ, Krzysztof BAŃKA, Roman MĄDRO
Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical Academy, Lublin
Streszczenie
The paper presents a procedure of determination of denatonium benzoate (BD, Bitrex) dissolved in ethanol using the LC-APCI-MS technique. In Poland “waste alcohol” can be sold legally but only after denaturation by Bitrex. A special decree of the Ministry of agriculture in 2001 orders addition of BD at a concentration of at least 0.3 g for every 100 litres of alcohol. However, deviations from this norm and illegal distribution of pure alcohol as “disinfection liquid” have been reported. According to industrial norms such liquid should consist of alcohol contaminated by Bitrex, but it often turns out to be alcohol of a very high purity.
Słowa kluczowe
Denatonium benzoate; Denatured alcohol; LC-APCI-MS.