Abstract
The popularity of energy beverages among young adult population is high. These drinks are claimed to boost energy and performance and contain high concentration of caffeine as one of the several ingredients. Discrepancies have been encountered by some of the previous studies between the actual quantity of caffeine present in the product and the amount mentioned on the label, making the determination of caffeine content in these drinks very important. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the caffeine concentration in most popular energy drinks available in Saudi Arabia. The energy drink samples (n = 9) were procured from retail outlets. Sample solutions were prepared in methanol and analyzed for caffeine content by GC-MS. Chromatographic parameters were optimized to achieve optimum resolution and various validation parameters were evaluated. The method was successfully applied for the quantification of caffeine in energy drinks by directly injecting the multifold diluted samples in methanol. The method was linear (r2 = 0.999) over a concentration range of 5–25 µg/mL, specific, precise (%RSD of peak area = 0.56–0.78), and accurate (%recovery = 99.3–101.2%). The amounts of caffeine determined were found in the range of 20.82–33.72 mg/100 mL (52.05–84.3 mg/pack). Results revealed that the amount of caffeine actually present in the tested drinks varied within ±10% range from the amount specified on the product labels. The amounts of caffeine detected in tested beverages were within the USFDA safe upper limit of per-day caffeine consumption, which has indicated that the consumption of one serving of energy drink is unlikely to produce any adverse health effect.
Highlights
Subsequent to the introduction of Red Bull in the US market in 1997, the popularity of energy drinks has rapidly grown
Energy drinks contain high contents of caffeine and sugar, in addition to other ingredients such as taurine, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, ginseng, guarana, vitamins, amino acids, and herbal ingredients [1,2,3]. ese products are marketed as being beneficial to health; there is significant concern among the health professionals regarding the risks and adverse health effects associated with these beverages
Caffeine content in nine most popular energy drinks marketed in Saudi Arabia was determined by GC-MS analysis. e analytical method was developed and validated and found to be linear, precise, accurate, and specific. e analysis was simple, as the samples were directly injected after multifold dilutions in methanol. e caffeine concentrations in the tested energy beverages were 20.82–33.72 mg/100 mL. e highest caffeine content was recorded in product D5, whereas the lowest concentration was found to be in product D3. e caffeine content in five out of nine products was recorded higher than the respective labeled amounts (104.1–106.9%), whereas lower caffeine concentrations were observed in three other tested energy beverages (91.1–94.9% of the label claim)
Summary
Subsequent to the introduction of Red Bull in the US market in 1997, the popularity of energy drinks has rapidly grown. Energy drinks contain high contents of caffeine and sugar, in addition to other ingredients such as taurine, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, ginseng, guarana, vitamins, amino acids, and herbal ingredients [1,2,3]. Ese products are marketed as being beneficial to health; there is significant concern among the health professionals regarding the risks and adverse health effects associated with these beverages. Clauson et al (2008) have reported that the levels of taurine, guarana, and ginseng present in energy drinks are well below the amount needed to produce therapeutically beneficial or Journal of Spectroscopy harmful effects; the quantities of caffeine and sugar were found to be at such a concentration that can cause adverse health effects in the consumer population [5]
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