DETERMINATION OF BENZOIC ACID LEVEL IN SOME SELECTED SOFT DRINKS MARKETED IN DAMATURU, YOBE STATE NIGERIA
1Umar Muhammad Jibreel, 2Surayya Farouk Durumin Iya and 3Musa Ibrahim Katuzu
ABSTRACT
Soft drinks are taken in large amount in Damaturu to quench taste and cold the internal body temperature. Benzoic acid is added to stop or delay nutritional losses due to enzymatic and chemical changes of foods and to prolong its shelf life and quality, as one of the oldest chemical preservatives because of its role in increasing soft drinks shelf life and inhibiting the microbial growth. But short-term exposure to it can irritate the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. And long-term exposure or repeated exposure may cause skin sensitization. This research work was carried out to determine the level of benzoic acid in soft drinks marketed in Damaturu, and to compare with standard as given by the standard organizations. Twelve (12) different brands of soft drinks were analyzed with six(6) carbonated and six(6) non-carbonated drinks, using UV-visible spectrophotometer. Based on the findings of this analysis, the carbonated soft drinks have the highest value of 148 mg/l and the lowest value of 38.68 mg/l, while for non-carbonated 86.88mg/l was the highest value and the lowest is 55.26mg/l. However, the result for benzoic acid concentration was found to be within the standard limits as given by WHO and NAFDAC that is, 150mg/l. Its therefore recommended that, the Government should have a routine check-up on the various soft drinks, fruit juices, herbal products and other consumable products sold in the market to check the level of the preservative whether they are within the stipulated limits.
Keywords: Carbonated, Concentration, Enzymatic, Levels, Lowest, consumable.