Assessment of Levels of Heavy Metals in Selected Canned Lager and Native Beer (Burukutu) Sold in Kugiya Market, Jos – Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To determine the levels of Cd, Zn, Pb and Fe in some branded canned lager beers and burukutu (native beer) samples. To compare the prevalence of these metals in the two types of beers in order to proffer recommendations about the contamination of liquor with the metals. Study Design: The work was descriptive. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, University of Jos; National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria (Nigeria) from 10th March-10th April, 2017. Methodology: 10 samples of burukutu were obtained from different sellers within Kugiya market Jos South Local Government Area, Nigeria. 10 samples each, of branded canned lager beers were purchased from the market and they included A®, B®, C®, and D®. To analyse the samples for the metals, atomic absorption spectrophotometry was applied. Results: Mean concentrations (mg/litre), of Cd, Fe, Pb (in branded beers) and Zn ranged from: 0.011 to 0.037±.54; 0.404 to 1.645±.24; 0.120 to 0.215±.75 and 0.017 to 0.088±.76 respectively