Major and minor compounds in a mexican spirit, young mezcal coming from two agave species

Major and minor compounds in a traditional Mexican spirit, young mezcal from Agave angustifolia Haw. and Agave potatorum Zucc., were characterised using gas chromatography and solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A large variability in both mezcal samples was detected in the content of methanol, higher alcohols, acetic acid, and ethyl acetate. However, their values were below the maximum concentration permitted by the Mexican Standards. The minor compounds identified by mass spectrometry included alcohols, esters, ketones, acids, and furanes. The similarities found between mezcal from Agave angustifolia and Agave potatorum may be due to their processing methods. In addition, mezcals contain unique compounds that can be used as markers to identify the products of different origins.