Comparative study on filtration effect of powdered activated carbon and activated carbon fiberboard on strong-flavor Baijiu

In this study, the filtration performance of activated carbon fiberboard (AKS1, AKS2, AKS4, R11, R33, R54) and powdered activated carbon on the filtration effect of 48%vol strong-flavor (Nongxiangxing) Baijiu was systematically compared. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the filtered and pre-filtered samples using powdered activated carbon and different types of activated carbon fiberboard in alcohol content (P>0.05). The sensory score of Baijiu sample filtered by R11 and powdered activated carbon was closest to that of powdered activated carbon filtered sample, and there was no significant difference (P>0.05). R11 activated carbon fiberboard could intercept over 80% of solid objects. Powdered activated carbon and R11 could effectively retain flavor substances such as esters and alcohols, which was suitable for flavor filtration to retain fragrance. AKS2, AKS4, R33, and R54 activated carbon fiberboard were suitable for deep purification; AKS1, R11, and R33 showed good low-temperature and rapid temperature change stability in the filtered samples, and the turbidity of the filtered samples was significantly lower than that of the sample with other treatments (P<0.05). Activated carbon fiberboard had no risk of metal ion migration. Therefore, activated carbon fiberboard R11 was the most suitable for 48%vol strong- flavor Baijiu filtration, and performed the optimal in retaining flavor and intercepting solids.