Abstract
Abstract There is currently little information on the composition of heavy metals in beverages imported and locally produced in Nigeria. The study quantitatively determined the composition of antimony (Sb), tin (Sn) and mercury (Hg) in 50 different beverage samples and evaluated the extent of violation of guideline values. Analysis of the beverage samples for the presence of Sb, Sn, and Hg was carried out using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) 929. The mean values detected for mercury, tin and antimony (±SE) in fruit juices and soft drinks were 2.39±0.25, 3.66±0.22 and 0.49±0.048 μg/l; 2.93±0.34, 3.60±0.46 and 0.49±0.10 μg/l in dairy drinks and 0.94±0.02, 4.34±0.48 and 0.48±0.05 μg/l in bottled water samples respectively. While antimony detected in all products was below guideline values, mercury and tin were above the acceptable levels established by the World Health Organization, United States Environmental Protection Agency and European Union in most samples tested.
Highlights
The industrial processes of extraction and distribution of mineral resources which undergo synthetic changes yield chemicals such as heavy metals that have an atomic weight and density almost five times that of water
The recent proliferation of a number of different brands of Nigerian beverages has necessitated the study of the extent of heavy metal contamination of these products
MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty different samples of beverages were utilized in the study including dairy drinks, soft drinks, water, and various types of juice drinks such as fresh juice, juice concentrates and mixed fruit juices, which were purchased in May 2010 in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria
Summary
The industrial processes of extraction and distribution of mineral resources which undergo synthetic changes yield chemicals such as heavy metals that have an atomic weight and density almost five times that of water. The presence of heavy metals in beverages has been documented in a number of worldwide studies. A recent study of beverages produced in Poland detected increased heavy metal content in fruit juice samples (Krejpcıo, Sıonkowskı& Bartela, 2005). This study highlighted the fact that beverages are rarely free from heavy metal contamination regardless of the environment they are produced. The recent proliferation of a number of different brands of Nigerian beverages has necessitated the study of the extent of heavy metal contamination of these products
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
