Identification and Determination of Caffeine Contents in Soft Drinks Commercially Available in Bangladesh Market By Using Reserve Phase HPLC Method

Abstract

Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It is also called psychoactive drugs but it is legal and unregulated in nearly all parts of the world. Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline purine and a methylxanthine alkaloid. The purpose of this study is to identify and determine the amount of caffeine in soft drinks by reverse phase HPLC method. Six branded soft drinks were taken which include two of the top brand samples. Quantitative analysis was done by reverse phase HPLC method with methanol: water (40:60v/v) as mobile phase and C18 a stationary phase with a flow rate of 1 ml/min and maximum UV 254 nm as the detector. The minimum caffeine level of soft drinks was observed in Mojo (23 mg/per 250 ml bottle), while the sample Current showed the highest caffeine content (199 mg/per 250 ml bottle). The levels of caffeine in all energy drinks samples are well below the maximum allowable limits set by the food regulatory bodies because regulatory bodies suggest that the daily intake of caffeine for healthy adults with no medical issues is 300 mg-400 mg can be safe without any adverse effects but they are not recommended to take more than 200 mg caffeine for pregnant or lactating women and children.