%0 Journal Article
%T Determination of Trace Metals and Essential Minerals in Selected Fruit Juices in Minna, Nigeria
%A A. I. Ajai
%A S. S. Ochigbo
%A Z. Abdullahi
%A P. I. Anigboro
%J International Journal of Food Science
%D 2014
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2014/462931
%X Levels of trace metals and essential minerals in selected fruit juice samples purchased from Minna were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and Flame photometer. From the obtained result, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, and Zn were present in all the samples, while Cd, Pb, and Cr were not detectable in all the samples. Concentrations of K range between 1.31£¿¡À£¿0.10 and 41.20£¿¡À£¿0.10£¿mg/100£¿mL, Na between 15.47£¿¡À£¿0.15 and 3.50£¿¡À£¿0.20£¿mg/100£¿mL, Mn between Nd and 0.27£¿¡À£¿0.08£¿mg/100£¿mL, Fe between Nd and 0.90£¿¡À£¿0.05£¿mg/100£¿mL, Cu between Nd-0.60£¿¡À£¿0.00£¿mg/100£¿mL, and Zn between Nd-0.09£¿¡À£¿0.01£¿mg/100£¿mL, respectively. The trace metal levels in all the samples were within permissible limit as recommended by WHO for edible foods and drinks and could therefore be taken to compliment the deficiency of these essential minerals from other food sources. 1. Introduction There has been an increasing trend in the production and consumption of local and imported fruit juices, both in the urban and rural areas of Nigeria and the world in general. The presence of impurities and foreign matter in finished products for human consumption is of great concern because they present health hazards when they exceed beneficial limits. The manufacture of juices requires special attention in terms of purity and the sources of water and its purification are crucial for maintaining quality and safety. Drinking water, fruit juices, and most drinks usually contain small amounts of essential trace elements, which contribute to dietary intakes, and the levels of these elements need to be continually monitored and controlled [1]. Some of these elements are important for the normal functions of the body but when their concentrations exceed an allowable limit [2], they cause acute and chronic poisoning leading to significant illness, reduced quality of life, and even death [3]. The presence of trace metals in water, juices, and different food substances and their health implications have been reported by other workers [4¨C9]. In a world faced with problem of food scarcity, fruits can act as very good sources of alternative nutrients to compliment the deficiency of these nutrients from other food sources, since they are known to be excellent sources of some essential minerals and vitamins and also contain carbohydrates in the form of soluble sugars, cellulose, and starch [10] and act as good sources of antioxidants [11¨C13]. In Nigeria, there exist different brands of fruit juices; some are manufactured by registered and recognized manufacturing companies and others by companies not
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfs/2014/462931/