Abstract: Method of reducing the concentration of sulfur and/or a sulfur-containing compound in a biochemically prepared organic compound by bringing the respective organic compound into contact with an adsorbent. Ethanol which has a particular specification and can be prepared by the abovementioned method, and its use as solvent, disinfectant, as component in pharmaceutical or cosmetic products or in foodstuffs or in cleaners, as feed in steam reforming processes for the synthesis of hydrogen or in fuel cells, or as building block in chemical synthesis.