CHANGES IN PARTITION COEFFICIENTS of ALCOHOLS AS AFFECTED BY the PRESENCE of VARIOUS FOOD SOLIDS

Using homologous series of alcohols and varing temperatures, it has been demonstrated in this study that volatility of alcohols increases upon changes in the system which decrease their solubility in the liquid. Addition of solutes has various effects on volatility, depending upon their ability to interact with water and volatiles. Surface characteristics, including the number of binding sites and surface area, significantly affect interaction. When more than one type of solids is present, alcohols preferentially adsorb to the solid with higher affinity for alcohols, until all binding sites on the solid are occupied. Silica and soy protein increase solubility of alcohols in water by adsorbing them through hydrophobic association and/or hydrogen bonds. Sodium silicoaluminate, xanthan gum and, to some extent, maltodextrin show less interaction with alcohols than with water.