Evaluation of Selected Metal Contents in Selected Locally Produced Alcoholic Herbal Bitters Sold in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

This work assessed levels of selected metals in Herbal Alcoholic Drinks (AHB and CGL) produced in Ghana. Three hundred (N = 300) consumers were interviewed to determine drinks frequently consumed. Consumption was CGL (70%) (n = 210) > AHB (20%) (n = 60) > AGB (5%) (n = 15) and (5%) (n = 15) (AGB = JTB). These facts were the basis for selecting AHB and CGL for this work. Herbal Alcoholic Drinks were digested at 180˚C with aqua regia and analysed using AAS (Zeeman Varian spectra 220Z) for Pb, Cr and Cu. Recoveries ranged from 97.67% (Cr) - 99.80% (Pb) whilst selected metals contents ranged from 0.28 ± 80.4E−04 mg/mL (Pb) – 0.66 ± 25.1E−01 mg/mL Cr (AHB) and 5.83 ± 42.7E−03 mg/mL (Pb) - 80.6 ± 14.1E−03 mg/mL Cr (CGL). Total Pb, Cr and Cu was 12.34 mg/mL (AHB) < 311.06 mg/mL (CGL) and individual metals exceeded reported levels in similar studies, 1.5 µg/mL (WHO) and 5.0 µg/mL (Organisation International De La Vigne et Du Vin). These levels are health threats to consumers and authorities must institute requisite monitoring schemes to protect consumers from risks associated with these metals.