Medical alcohol, commonly known as ethanol, is made from corn or other grains by saccharifying enzyme fermentation, with few impurities. It consists of 75% alcohol and 25% water (chemical formula: C2H5OH). At present, both medical and medicinal alcohol in China are products that are in line with edible alcohol at this stage, and can be used in pharmaceutical production, and there is no special national standard. According to the production standards of various provinces and cities, various manufacturers make preparations on the basis of edible alcohol. Medical alcohol has different effects according to different concentrations.
Edible alcohol-water-containing alcohol, made from grains, potatoes, molasses or other edible crops, is refined by fermentation and distillation and used in food industry. The raw material is food and must be fermented and brewed. At present, the quality standard of edible alcohol implements the national standard GB 3 1640-20 16. The contents of methanol, fusel oil and lead under hygienic requirements are lower than those of solid fermented wine, which is more hygienic and safer. Although the country allows edible alcohol to be used in the food industry, it still contains impurities and odors, and it must be deodorized and purified before it can be used to prepare drinks and wines.
Edible alcohol is the biggest difference between edible alcohol and ordinary alcohol (medical alcohol) used in life.