Isotopic composition of carbon in vinegars.

Measurements of delta 13C and 14C-activity were performed on vinegars from various known sources. Natural vinegar can be distinguished from petrochemical acetic acid by 14C-analysis: Natural vinegar currently gives values of greater than 112% of modern activity; petrochemical acetic acid yields values of 0% of modern activity. Apple cider vinegar can be distinguished from corn-derived vinegar by delta 13C-analysis: Cider vinegar gives delta 13C-values near -26%; corn-derived vinegars yield delta 13C-values near -10%. delta 13C-Analysis also can be applied, with some restrictions, to wine vinegars. These techniques are applied to a series of retail vinegars.