is oxidized to cyanate and then reacts with ethanol to form
EC (2). A relatively high correlation (R = 0.597) between
cyanide and EC was found in Brazilian sugar cane spirits
(13). The addition of potassium metabisulfite inhibited the
oxidation of hydrocyanic acid to cyanic acid, which in turn
reduced the content of EC in ume, Japanese apricot, liqueur
(41). On the other hand, no correlation was found between
EC and cyanide in German stone-fruit spirits (10). In addition
to these precursors, other factors such as the exposure
to UV light, storage time, and fermenting temperature have
been known to influence the formation of EC