Evaluation of Caffeine, Aspartame, and Sugar

Contents in Energy Drinks

Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research
Casimir Gimba, Stephem Abechi, Nurudeen Abbas & Igelige Gerald
Presented by: Victoria Do

Outline
Overview
Introduction
Experimental Section
Data
Results & Discussion
Conclusion
Q & A

Overview
Risks and benefits of energy drinks has gained momentum in

recent times.
The purpose of this study is to determine the level of caffeine,

aspartame, and sugar in energy drinks

The study was evaluated by using HPLC (high-performance liquid

chromatography) and UV spectrophotometric procedures

Introduction
Energy drinks contain caffeine as an active ingredient:
A central nervous system stimulant
Increase epinephrine also known as adrenaline
Effect speed at which information is process
Reduce Sleep
Enhance:
Mood
Alertness
Awareness
Attention
Reaction

time

Introduction
Aspartame is a low calorie sweetener used in energy

drinks
200 times sweeter than sugar
Enhances and extends flavors
A synthetic non nutritive sweetener
Provides a far lower net calorie intake

Introduction
Sugar content in energy drinks
A carbohydrate
Sweeteners to improve taste
Ranges from 21g 34g per 8 oz
Comes in the from of sucrose, glucose, or high fructose

corn syrup

Experimental Section
10 brands of energy drinks samples were randomly

selected
Levels of caffeine, aspartame, and sugar were
determined,
All reagents were analytical or HPLC grade
All solutions were prepared by using distilled water

Sample Preparations
Samples were diluted with distilled water
Filtrated
Transferred to vials and into auto sample tray
Injected into HPLC (High performance liquid

chromatography) column

Sample Preparation cont.

The concentration was determine in energy drink for each

dilute sample of:

Caffeine
Aspartame
Samples concentration was calculated from a calibration
curve
Chromatographic analysis is carried out at wavelengths

Determination of Sugar
All 10 samples were placed in a spectrometer
A blank solution is used first to read the absorbance
Recall from in class lab procedure Spectrophotometric

Analysis of Caffeine and Benzoic Acid

Absorbance for diluted samples was recorded

Data

Table 1: Concentration of Sugar, Caffeine and Aspartame

a-k: Increasing order of sugar and aspartame. a-j: Increasing order of caffeine.
Values numbers with the same letters in the column, by treatment, are not significantly different while those with
different letters are significantly different at p 0.05% from each other.

Results and Discussion

Caffeine Concentration
Ranged from 1.11 ppm 237.95 ppm
Sample EV had the least concentration (1.11 ppm)
Sample PH had the highest concentration (237.95 ppm)

Lower than the ranged of caffeine concentration in:

Energy drinks reported in literature
Tea sample reported in literature

All energy samples were below the FDA set standards

Results and Discussion

Aspartame Concentration
Ranged from 283.84 ppm 956.82 ppm
Sample WD had the least concentration (283.84 ppm)
Sample EV had the most concentration (956.82 ppm)

Lower than the ranged of caffeine concentration in:

Fruit juice
Powdered drinks

Aspartame concentrations in all energy samples were below the

FDA set standard

Results and Discussion

Sugar Concentration
Ranged from 91.05 ppm 1686.73 ppm
Sample JW had the least concentration (91.05 ppm)
Sample LB had the high concentration (1686.73 ppm)

Excess consumption of sugar can lead to:

Dental caries
Oral hygiene
Over weight
cardiovascular disease

Conclusion
Caffeine consumption can have health consequences,

particularly at high dose.

The concentration of caffeine and aspartame in the
energy drinks were observed to be lower than the
acceptance daily intake set by the WHO/FDA.
All energy samples will not have adverse effects on the
consumers except multiples of the drinks are consumed.

Future Studies
Safety level of caffeine consumption with lack of

sleep amongst college students.

Reference
Gimba, C. E., Abechi, S. E., Abbas, N. S., & Gerald, I. U.

(2014). Evaluation of caffeine, aspartame and sugar

contents in energy drinks. Journal Of Chemical &
Pharmaceutical Research, 6(8), 39-43.