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The chemical and sensorial characteristics of cherry brandy produced from five cherry varieties (Oblacinska, Celery’s 16, Rexle, Heiman’s Ruby and Heiman’s Conserve) grown in Serbia were studied. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of these distillates led to the identification of 32 components, including 20 esters, benzaldehyde, 6 terpenes and 5 acids. The ethyl esters of C8–C18 acids were the most abundant in all samples. The benzaldehyde content was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The average benzaldehyde concentration in the samples ranged between 2.1 and 24.1 mg L-1. The total sensory scores of the cherry brandies ranged between 17.30 to 18.05, with the cherry brandy produced from the Celery’s 16 variety receiving the highest score (18.05).

In this study, volatile compounds were analyzed in five samples of home-made spirit beverage made by the distillation of fermented fruits of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.). The major volatile compounds, besides ethanol, identified and quantified were: methanol, acetaldehyde, 1-propanol, ethyl acetate, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 1-butanol, amyl alcohols, 1-hexanol and 2-phenylethanol. The minor volatiles were submitted to liquid–liquid extraction with dichloromethane and analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/ /mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A total of 84 compounds were identified. The most abundant compounds were straight-chain free fatty acids, ethyl esters of C6–C18 acids, limonene, 2-phenylethanol and 4-ethylphenol. Most of the compounds found in the “Drenja” spirits investigated in this study are similar to those present in other alcoholic beverages.

Resveratrol, which occurs in two isomeric forms, trans and cis, is a phytoalexin with numerous pharmacological activities, such as anti-cancer, antiviral, neuroprotective and anti-aging. Red wine is the main source of the compound and an easy way of including resveratrol in the human diet. In this study, the most popular commercial Serbian wines (red, white and rosé-type) were analyzed for their content of trans- and cis-resveratrol. The analysis was performed by HPLC with a UV detector. Prior to the injection, phenolic compounds were extracted onto a LiChrolut RP18 bonded silica cartridge. The concentration of trans-resveratrol ranged from 0.11 to 1.69 mg L-1 and cis-resveratrol from 0.12 to 1.49 mg L-1.