Caffeine energy drinks

Keywords Alkaloid, caffeine, energy drinks, spectrophotometry. 

A-17-year-old male was presented to the Emergency Department with acute onset of chest pain. Examination showed a caffeine-induced coronary artery vasospasm that was probably caused by drinking a disproportionate number of caffeinated energy drinks (three to four Redbull 80 mg of caffeine and two to three Monster 160 mg of caffeine/can [34 ]. 

Comparison of Derivative Speetrophotometry and Partial Least Square (PLS-1) Calibration for the Determination of Caffeine in Energy Drinks... 

Abstract Caffeine, a xanthine alkaloid, occurs in teaplants, coffee, mate leaves and cola nuts, ft is also commonly found beverages, such as cola drinks, tea and energy drinks. 

In this work, two methods for the determination of caffeine in energy drinks by derivative spectrophotometry and by partial least-squares multivariate spectropho-tometric calibration (PLS-1) are described. Proposed methods involve background correction methods that interferences from vitamins, taurin and food colours were minimized by treating the sample with basic lead acetate and NaHC03 for the arralysis of caffeine in energy drinks. 

The methods were applied to determine caffeine in commercial energy drinks and the results obtained are compared. It was found that these methods don t reqitire expensive solvents and can confidently be used for rapid, precise and sensitive qirantitation of caffeine in energy drinks, especially for routine quality control analyses. 

Energy drinks. Red Devil and Tiger Shot, containing 150 mg/L caffeine were aequired from Turkey supermarkets. 

In analysing the caffeine of energy drinks, an accurately weighed amount of 15 mL of sample to 50 mL volumetric flask containing 25 mL water. Two milliliters of basic lead acetate solution was added to this solution and diluted the mark with distilled water. After filtering, 25 mL of filtrate was taken and 0.25 g of NaHCOj was added to this solution. Then, the solution was filtered. Five milliliters of filtrate was transferred to a 25 mL volumetric flask and adjusted to volume with distilled water. The peak amplitudes of the first-derivative spectra was measured at 287 and 260 nm. The sample preparation procedure was also used for PLS-1 method and the absorbances of this solution were recorded between 240-320 mn. 

The absorption spectra and first derivative spectra of 9 )ig mL solution of caffeine and energy drinks samples are given in Figs. 31.1 and 31.2. Upon examining the first spectra of two samples, it can be noticed that caffeine can be determined 287 and 260 nm. 

With the aim of improving the analysis of caffeine in energy drinks, the multivariate calibration method PLS-1 was tested. The method was evaluated by using the absorption spectra for the analysis. The absorption spectra of caffeine standards and samples were recorded in the 240-320 rrm range, digitized every 5 rrm. 

However, only common and inexpensive reagents are used. They are rapid and do not require ai r expensive or sophisticated apparatus, in contrast with chromatographic methods. So, the proposed methods can be used for the routine analysis of caffeine in energy drinks. 

There is also a growing interest in drinks with associated special characteristics. These products will often contain sugars for energy, caffeine for stimulation and vitamins, amino acids and maybe herbs which impart some unique selling property as a health benefit. A very good example of this type of product is Red Bull, which is described, according to its website, thus Red Bull is much more than a soft drink - it is an energy drink. It was made for moments of increased physical and mental stress and improves endurance, alertness, concentration and reaction speed. In short it vitalizes body and mind. ... 

Machado-Vieira R, Viale Cl, Kapczinski F. Mania associated with an energy drink the possible role of caffeine, taurine, and inositol. Can J Psychiatry 2001 46(5) 454-5. 

The suggested derivative spectrophotometric method and PLS-1 were applied to determination of caffeine in energy drinks (Table 31.2). The assay results obtained by both methods were statistically compared at the 5% level. As shown in Table 31.2 there was no significant differences between the mean values and precisions of two methods. 

To be effective, such new materials must be durable and robust enough to withstand exposure to common chemicals found in fuels, oils, insecticides, cleaners, flavored coffee, and highly caffeinated and carbonated energy drinks salt spray dust and changes in heat and humidity - through months of harsh use. hi addition, many of these desired capabihties will require power to operate, so the suit may also harvest energy from available sources, such as a combination of body heat and motion or solar energy. 

Adverse events, primarily cardiovascular in nature, have been reported in persons consuming "energy drinks" and weight-loss supplements that contain guarana and multiple other botanical extracts, added caffeine, and other stimulant compounds (Pittler et al. 2005). 

A small proportion of caffeine finds application in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of migraine, pain and fever. It is occasionally administered in combination with analgesics, since caffeine augments their activity. The cosmetics industry uses caffeine as a blood-circulation-enhancing agent for skin preparations. Caffeine is needed for the production of copier paper ( Diazopaper ). The lion s share however accounts for sodas and energy drinks (Coca-Cola , PepsiCola , Red BulP), but also a host of other caffeinated food products, which has already attracted the FDA s attention. 

As in the case of FAB-MS, the use of surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) can be used to substantially or even completely suppress the matrix-related ion background [81]. Use of the CTAB surfactant also resulted in an improved mass resolution for low-molecular-weight molecules including amino acids, peptides, drugs, and cyclodextrins. This technique has been used successfully for the analysis of caffeine, and the vitamins riboflavin, nicotinamide and pyridoxine in various energy drinks [82]. 

Aranda, M., Morlock, G. (2006) Simultaneous determination of riboflavin, pyridoxine, nicotinamide, caffeine and taurine in energy drinks by planar chromatography-multiple detection with confirmation by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.Journal of Chromatography. A, 1131,253-260. 

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