Project Type
Poster
Publication Date
2025
Department or Program
Chemistry and Physics
College
College of Arts & Sciences
Faculty Mentor #1
Sarah Smith
Abstract
A myriad of different caffeinated beverages are advertised and readily available to consumers. Previous research has identified the presence of elevated levels of metals unsafe for consumption in many of these beverages, energy drinks in particularly. We aim to analyze concentrations of chromium, aluminum, and lead, three such metals, in a variety of different caffeinated beverages. A calibration curve relating concentration of chromium, lead and aluminum to corrected peak height for five solutions of standardized concentration was created using a ThermoFisher iCAP 6000 Series. The same instrument was then used to analyze samples of eight different caffeinated beverages. The corrected peak heights of each metal in each beverage was collected. Using these values in conjunction with the equation corresponding to the relationship between concentration and peak height, the concentration of each metal contained in the eight samples was calculated. The resulting concentrations were compared with both literature findings and safety regulations relating to metal concentrations in consumer products.