Preliminary chemical evaluation of nutritional perspective of Pito, an indigenous alcoholic beverage brewed in the Upper East region of Ghana (Published)
This study evaluated some macro and trace elements in a Ghanaian indigenous beverage, pito. Pito samples from the Upper East region, Ghana, were analysed using AAS, Spectrophotometry, and titration; for Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Al, Pb, As, Ni and Zn. 35.0 to 59.0 mg/L Ca; 16.97 to 30.74 mg/L Mg; 9.05 to 13.18 mg/L K; 18.03 to 26.15 mg/L Na; 0.11 to 0.18 mg/L Fe; 0.00 to 0.01mg/L Al, and 0.00 to 0.01 mg/L Cr were present. Also, 1.83 to 2.95 mg/L Zn; 0.05 to 0.07 mg/L Ni; 0.00 to 0.02 mg/L Cu, and 0.10 to 0.11 mg/L Co were found. Al and Cr were overall least (0.01 mg/L), while Pb and As could not be detected. Cr was only in one sample source, while generally Ni was above the WHO acceptable limit. Further analyses are required to enable comparison and recommendation of pito nutrient-supplement policy.
Keywords: Macro, Pito, beverage, nutrient supplement, trace elements