Trace metal Levels in Some Packaged Fruit Juices Sold in Makurdi Metropolis Markets, Nigeria

Abstract

The concentrations of ten (10) trace metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Cd and Pb) in samples of commonly consumed fruit juices in Nigeria were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) technique. The mean concentration (mg/L) of the trace metals in the samples analyzed were as follows: Cr (0.172±0.05), Mn (2.29±1.0), Fe (14.4±7.9), Co (0.739±0.29), Ni (0.217±0.17), Cu (0.758±0.47), Zn (1.79±1.3) and Se (0.385±0.25). However, Cd and Pb were below the detection limit of the AAS and therefore not detected in all the juice samples analyzed. The mean concentrations of trace metals in descending order for all the fruit juices samples analyzed was; pineapple > orange > apple. Similarly, the pattern of mean concentrations of trace metals for the six different brands investigated were coded as follows: Ceres (CR) > Chivita (CH) > Fumman (FU) > Frutta (FR) > Soy good (SG) > Nature’s fresh (NF). Some of the results obtained were comparable to those found in the literature, but urgent attention is required to address high metal content found in pineapple juice of one brand (CR). Keywords : Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric, Fruit Juice, Makurdi, Nigeria, Trace metals.