Abstract:
ABSTRACT
In this research the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Pb and Cd from selected four brands of Ethiopian beers were determined to assess their compositions and identify affects on beer taste, stability and consumer health. Beer samples were obtained from beer factory and local stores and analyzed for metals by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after wet digestion method. The mean metal concentrations in the samples were found to be 1.802 – 3.471, 242.8 – 261.066 , 0.90 – 1.499, 0.165 – 0.213, and 0.726 – 0.881 mg/l for Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Pb respectively, while Cd was found below the detection limit of FAAS (0.005 mg/l). The concentration of metals in Ethiopian beers was found to be comparable with beers of some other countries with the exception of lead.
Key words: Beer; Metals; wet digestion; Ethiopia; Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.