Assessment of essential and non-essential metals in Ethiopian traditional fermented alcoholic beverages

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Evaluation of the levels of essential and non-essential metal concentrations in Ethiopian traditional fermented alcoholic beverages (Tella, Tej, Birz, Korefe, Keribo and Borde) was conducted using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) after HNO3/H2O2 digestion process. A total of 10 bulk samples were collected randomly from vending houses at five different sub-cities of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia (Lideta-Kolfe, Bole-Kirkose, Yeka-Gullele, Arada-Addis Ketema and Akaki-Kaliti-Lafto) and from five nearby towns (Sebeta, Dukem, Sululta, Sendafa, and Burayu) of Oromia Regional State. The considered metals include: Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Co and Mn to ascertain their levels. With 88-96% recovery Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb and Mn were detected at varying concentrations in the beverages, while Co, Ni and Cr were below detection limits. All the beverages were rich in Ca, Mg and Zn. Among the trace metals found Zn was the first. The levels of the trace metals were generally low, and within statutory safe limits set by World Health Organization (WHO). Mineral concentrations were found to be significantly different among the beverages studied (p < 0.05). The levels of metals in the Ethiopian fermented beverages were found comparable with the reported ones.

Improvement in Analytical Methods for Determination of Sugars in Fermented Alcoholic Beverages

“…These include determination of phenolics [20], alcohol contents [21–23], and minerals [24]. However, no study has been reported on the sugar contents of traditional fermented beverages.…”

Levels and health risk assessment of trace metals in honey from different districts of Bench Sheko Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

“…The carcinogenic risk is an estimate of the probability that a person will develop cancer over their estimated 55-year lifespan. Risk values greater than 1.0E-04 are considered intolerable, risks smaller than 1.0E-06 do not result in any adverse health effects, and risks between 1.0E-04 and 1.0E-06 are generally considered in the safe range [ 6 , 14 ]. The TCR value of Cd for male and female adults from Sheko, Guraferda, and Debub Bench were found in the range of 3.34E-07 to 7.77E-07 were less than 1.0E-06 and could be suggesting in low cancer risk, while its value from Mizan Aman Town and Semien Bench were ranged from 1.09E-06 to 1.27E-06 for male and female adults are generally considered as safe.…”

“…To optimize digestion procedures, digestion reagents, temperature, and time were varied. As a result, digestion was selected as the best method, resulting in clear and colorless solutions with a small reagent volume, at a low temperature, and with the shortest digestion time needed [ 14 ].…”

Potential Application of Tetrapleura tetraptera and Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae) in Designing Highly Flavoured and Bioactive Pito with Functional Properties

“…Oz et al [184] reported heavy metals (i.e., (chromium) Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, (tin) Sn, and Pb) in beers (n = 25) sourced across Ankara, Turkey; the results were below the legislative limits. Similarly, all heavy metals detected in Ethiopian traditional fermented alcoholic beverages were below the safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO); nevertheless, the concentration of Cd and Pb in some samples was higher than the limit set by WHO [185]. Traditional brewers should be informed or educated about the wear of the pots they utilise for brewing and the need to change them periodically.…”