CONCENTRATION OF TARTRAZINE OF THE TOP 3 LEADING BRANDS OF

ENERGY DRINKS CONSUMED BY THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETE OF

FSUU

Dexter Polo, Joseph Navarro, Erikka Janozo, Kristine Acasio, Lars Sepe

Father SaturninoUrios University, Abp. Carmelo D.F Morelos Campus

Butuan City, CARAGA, Philippines

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter contains the background of the study, statement of the problems,

objectives, significance and scope and limitations of this study, the research hypotheses

and conceptual framework.

Background of the Study

Energy drinks have been widely known beverage around the world. This

beverages contain high stimulant ingredients such as caffeine, sugar and vitamins it has

the capability to enhance and mental alertness and physical performances. Energy

drinks are used as a sports drink which are used to replace water and electrolytes

during or after physical activity. Energy drinks we see today have different flavors and

colors because of artificial flavoring and artificial dyes.

 Tartrazine also known as FD&C yellow #5 or E102 is one of the artificial food

colorings that is most used. Artificial food dyes are used to make foods are appealing to

the eyes. Food producers often use synthetics foods dyes rather than natural because it

way cheaper. Food dyes are not only found in food but also in cosmetic and other

products.The synthetic yellow azo dye derived from coal tar and has been banned from

serval countries such as Austria and Norway because serious side effect such as

causing lethal asthma attacks and nettle rash, hives, DNA damage, tumors of the

thyroid and ADHD.

 Statement of the Problem

Tartrazine are considered as dangerous to children and others because it isn’t

the same thing as the artificial colors used in processed foods and energy drinks. As

with most artificial colors, it is manufactured from coal tar.

This study will be conducted to determine the presence of concentration of

tartrazine found in energy drinks. In this context, the findings of this study will cope the

concentration of tartrazine of top 3 leading brand of energy drinks. This study will aim to

answer the following questions:

1. What is the concentration of tartrazine found in the top 3

leading brands of energy drinks consumed by High School

Student Athlete of FSUU?

2. Is there a significant difference among the tartrazine

concentrations in the top 3 leading brand of energy drinks?

3. Do the concentrations of tartrazine in top 3 leading brands of

energy drinks conform to the standards set by the FDA &

 Objectives of the Study

The following are the objectives of the study.

1. To determine if there is a concentration of tartrazine in the top 3

leading brands

2. To determine if the concentrations of tartrazine in the top 3 leading

brand of energy drinks conform to the standards set by the Food

and Drug Administration & Joint Expert Committee Food Additives

3. To determine if there is a significant difference among the tartrazine

concentrations in the top 3 leading brand of energy drinks.

 Significance of the Study

The study of tartrazine concentrations found in the Top 3 leading brands of

energy drink can help the student – athletes of FSUU be aware of what is the tartrazine

concentration found in the top 3 leading brands of energy drinks that they are

consuming. With this, the Student–Athletes will be more attentive and careful of what

they are consuming, the chemical present in it, and its health effects. The community

will know the effects that this artificial food coloring may act to their health, and may

continue them to stop using this kind of artificial food dyes and to raise awareness that

we should lessen the product that contains a high concentration of tartrazine.

This study would give information to government agencies such as Food and

Drug Administration and Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives. It helps them to be

aware who keeps on drinking energy drinks that contains tartrazine.

To future researchers, this study can provide a background information about

tartrazine and they can also use our study as their reference for their research.
 Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study is limited only on the concentration of tartrazine found in Energy

Drinks which will be conducted in Father Saturnino Urios University. This study focuses

only on the analysis of tartrazine since this food additive can be accumulated by the

said invertebrate.

This study will focus in Father Saturnino Urios University, Libertad, Butuan City.

Research Hypotheses

Ho1: The Concentration of Tartrazine found in the top 3 leading brand of energy

drink did not affect the High School Student – Athlete.

Ha1: The Concentration of Tartrazine found in the top 3 leading brand of energy

drink may affect the High School Student – Athlete.

Ho2: There are no standards of Tartrazine present found in the top 3 leading

brand of energy drinks consumed by the High School Student – Athlete.

Ha2: There are still standards of Tartrazine present found in the top 3 leading

brand of energy drinks consumed by the High School Student – Athlete.

 Operational Definition of Terms

Concentration - The action or power of focusing one's attention or mental effort.

Consumption – Is the using up of a resource.

Energy Drink - Any of various types of beverage that are considered a source of

energy, especially a soft drink containing a high percentage of sugar and/or caffeine or

other stimulant.

FDA - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a government agency with the

passage of the Federal Food and Drugs Act. The agency is separated into divisions that

oversee a majority of the organization's obligations involving food, drugs, cosmetics,

animal food, dietary supplements, medical devices, biological goods and blood

products.

JEFCA – Joint Expert Committee and Food Additives (JEFCA) was an international

report of the World Health Organization. The expert committee commissioned to

evaluate the safety for human consumption of selective food additives.

International Agency – Is an organization with global mandates, generally funded by

contributions from national governments.

Local Agency – A person or firm authorized to act as agent for one or more property

insurance companies in a particular community and usually paid by commission.

Student – Athlete – Is a participant in an organized competitive sport sponsored by the

educational institution in which he or she is enrolled.

 Tartrazine - Is a synthetic lemon yellow azo dye primarily used as a food coloring. Also

known as FD&C yellow #5 or E102 is one of the artificial food colorings that is most

used.

Conceptual Framework

Figure 1. shows the conceptual framework of the study. Box in the left represents

the 3 Bottle of Energy Drinks which is the Gatorade, Cobra and Sting as the

independent variable. This is the variable that serves as the input and that can affect the

dependent variable; shows that the bottle of energy drinks are being contamined with

the tartrazine. On the other side, the dependent variable, it represented dependent

variable in the right box. It shows that the Concentration of Tartrazine. On the third box

it shows here the standard of tartrazine concentration for student-athlete consumption in

FSUU.

3 Bottles of Energy Standard of

Drink Tartrazine
Concentration of Concentration
A. Gatorade
TheT Tartrazine for Student-
B. Cobra Athlete
consumption
C. Sting
FDA –
5.0mg/kg/day
JEFCA -
Independent Variable Dependent Variable 50mg/kg

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of the Study