Some mineral profiles of fresh and bottled palm wine – a comparative study

Abstract

Some mineral profiles of fresh palm wine and those of seven brands of bottled palm wine were analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy and the values were compared. Three of the bottled samples contained toxic levels of either Pb or Cd or both. Neither metal was detected in fresh palm wine. Zn, Cr and Ni were 2 to 15 times higher while Cu was 2 to 5 times lower in bottled samples than values for fresh sample. The likelihood of water- derived heavy metal contamination during bottling, and its potential health implication for consumers are discussed.

Key words: Palm wine, bottling, mineral elements
African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (8), pp. 829-832