Quantification of Ingredients and Additives of Beer and Beer-Based Mixed Beverages by ¹ H NMR Spectroscopy and Automated PULCON Analysis

In Germany, traditional beer consumption is declining, while the demand for nonalcoholic and beer-based mixed drinks is increasing. International regulations on ingredient labeling, particularly for additives and sweeteners, challenge consumers, manufacturers, and regulatory authorities. This study evaluates proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) combined with the automated PULCON method for quantifying organic acids, sugars, and additives in beer and beer-based mixed drinks. Optimized algorithms for signal identification, including a JRES-based evaluation and line fitting, were developed and validated. Screening of 512 samples demonstrated the method's efficiency in detecting analytes such as benzoic acid, sorbic acid, acesulfame K, and saccharin. Organic acid levels were higher in modern beer types compared to those in traditional German styles. All German products conformed to European regulations. The developed qNMR analysis scripts are available as open-access resources in R, supporting the further development and application of automated quantification strategies for quality control and authenticity testing.