Prevalence of some metals in native and branded factory-based lager beers within Jos metropolis

Abstract

Ethyl alcohol toxicity is implicated in disease conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis and these ailments among drinkers are high even after seeking medical attention. This work was therefore undertaken to analyse for zinc, iron, lead, cadmium, and manganese as contaminants in samples of beers. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique was applied to achieve the objectives of the work. Although the results indicated contamination of the samples with the metals, the magnitude of the contamination was higher in native, relative the factory-based lager beers. In burukutu, the level of Zn was above that in pito and goskolo. Compared to the maximum reference levels in drinking water, level of Fe was lower just as for Pb (P >0.05). Goskolo had the highest burden of Cd followed by burukutu and pito. In burukutu and pito, Mn was high (P =0.05) compared to reference values. In the case of the factory-based lager beers, levels of Zn, Mn and Fe were below the reference values for all the brands. Levels of Cd and Pb were above the maximum values (P =0.05). In Guinness, Harp, and Star, the content of Cd and Pb were significantly (P =0.05) above reference values for drinking water, but other metals were not significant (P >0.05). Extent of contamination with Pb was highest in Gulder (P=0.05). Alcoholic drinks are contaminated with metals whose toxicities could aggravate ailments, usually ascribed to alcohol alone, in drinkers.