Evaluation of Phosphorus in Cola Drinks in Albanian Market

ANISA PEÇULI^*, NERTIL XHAFERAJ, ANILA KOPALI, AIDA SHKURTI, FATJON HOXHA

¹Agricultural University of Tirana, Faculty of Biotechnology andFood, Department of Agro-Food Technology Kodër Kamëz, SH1, Tirana 1000, Albania

*Corresponding author e-mail: apeculi@ubt.edu.al

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Abstract

Phosphates are inorganic compounds, based on the element phosphorus (P), and combined with oxygen to form phosphates (PO4), the form in which phosphorus is present in nature. Phosphate occurs naturally in the form of organic esters in many kinds of food, like meat, potatoes, bread, and milk. In the body, they are broken down to simple phosphate ions (PO4), the basic building block of the many different biological molecules which include phosphorus. Inorganic phosphat is commonly used as an additive in industrial food production for a range of purposes including maintaining natural colors and flavors, acidity buffering, leavening, stabilization of texture, shelf-life quality. High levels of phosphorus in the blood, has been associated with adverse health effects like organ damage, most notably of the kidneys, lower calcium levels which lead to brittle bone diseases,vascular calcification and cardiovascular diseases. Because of the potential damage to health from excessive phosphate consumption, a labeling requirement is advised for foods with added phosphate. The aim of our study was the evaluation of phosphate concentration in cola drinks in Albanian market and compliances with the current legal limits regarding this additive set by the Europian regulations. Phosphate concentration of selected drinks were evaluated using an UV spectrophotometric procedure. The results obtained indicated that phosphate concentration in cola drinks ranged from 887 mg/L to 1,800 mg/L. European regulations allow up to 700 mg/L of phosphate in cola drinks, a quantity that provide already 50% to 75% of the recommended daily intakeof phosphate for adults.

Keywords: inorganic phosphor, UV/Visible Spectrophotometer, Soft drinks, EU Regulations