Comparative study and Quantitative determination of crucial heavy metals caffeine, pH, in carbonated beverages available at the local market in Bangladesh

Abstract

This Study did to determine the pH ,level of caffeine concentration and amount/level of heavy metals concentration ,total suspended solids and total dissolve solids of five soft drinks sample that are locally available in the market of Bangladesh to ensure whether the pH level ,level of caffeine concentration and level of heavy metals concentration follow the FDA recommendations 0r not. Quantitative estimation of Caffeine and heavy metals had done by the Uv-Spectrophotometer and Atomic absorption spectroscopy ,pH were measured by the Hannah pH meter .Caffeine , pH , and heavy metals were determined with guided methods of AOAC. All the methods are established by the regulatory bodies. The minimum caffeine content was found in sample 3(85mg per 250ml drinks),where the maximum amount of caffeine was found in sample 2 (180mg per 250ml drinks). The concentration of caffeine in all energy drink samples are well below the maximum allowable limits set by the food regulatory bodies, except the sample 2. From this study , the minimum caffeine level of soft drinks were showed by sample 3 where sample 2 showed the highest caffeine level. And the pH range of these sample 2.30 to 3.00. Which is not consistent with the food regulatory bodies . Sample 2 showed lowest pH level where sample 3 showed much higher pH level ,so sample 2 is more acidic than the other sample .There is a relation between the caffeine and pH. If any soft drinks contain higher level of caffeine concentration with very low pH that stimulants human’s central nervous system rapidly than the other sample . This study also evaluated some constituents of five soft drinks in Bangladesh and investigated the presence of some heavy metal contaminants. All the sample of soft drinks were screened for the presence of sugar, carbon dioxide, phosphate . The level of cadmium, and lead were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This study also showed the presence of sugar, carbon dioxide, phosphate, in the soft drink. All the samples of this study contain Lead and Cadmium. All the samples contained lead content within the actual limit except one sample that was not consistent with the standard limit that is specified with appropriate bodies . All the samples contained lead content within the range of 0.3642mg/l to 11mg /l .Only sample P contain the highest amount of Lead content (11mg/l) which was more higher than the actual limit of regulatory bodies that is 0. .The presence of cadmium in all the samples range from 0.050 mg/l to 0.112 mg/l which was within the limit of WHO limit .Sample T contained the maximum amount of cadmium (0.113mg/l) whereas Sample S contain the minimum amount of Cadmium (0.050mg/l) both are consistent with actual limit of regulatory bodies.