SURVEY OF SOME TOXIC VOLATILE CONSTITUENTS IN POPULAR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN BENIN CITY MARKETS, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was carried out to screen for some toxic volatile contaminants in popular alcoholic beverage brands that enjoy huge patronage in Benin City, Nigeria. Two (2) bottles sampled from each of five (5) genuine and five (5) counterfeited brands of popular alcoholic beverages (three brandies and two wines) sold in well-patronized retail shops in Benin City, Nigeria were analysed for some toxic volatile components using gas liquid chromatography (GLC). Toluene was absent in all genuine brands, but values of 387 – 2309 mg/L were obtained in the fake brands (brandy and wine). Methanol concentration was low in genuine wines (9 – 24 mg/L). The genuine brandies had higher levels of methanol (36 - 49 mg/L) while toxic levels (287 – 1754 mg/L) were detected in all fake brandies. Benzene was either undetected or very low in all genuine brands. Urethane was much lower in fake brands (0 – 130 mg/L) than in the genuine ones (0 – 1434 mg/L). Ethyl acetate ranged from 0 – 371 mg/L (genuine) and from 0 – 563 mg/L (fake). For the fake brands, the levels of methanol, toluene and benzene were much higher than NAFDAC recommended limits. These results imply a potential health risk in consumption of adulterated alcoholic beverages