African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (8), pp. 829-832, August 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

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

Ukhun, M.E.¹*, Okolie, N.P² and Oyerinde, A.O¹

¹Department of Chemistry, ²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City. Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: tamjele@yahoo.com.  Phone: +234-08034738849.

Accepted 27 June, 2005

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.