Total fructose, total glucose and benzoic acid contents in commercially available fruit nectars in Anuradhapura town area, Sri Lanka

Abstract

High intake of total fructose, total glucose and benzoic acid can cause many adverse health effects.Most commercially available fruit juice and nectar brands in Sri Lanka are not claimed on the labelabout the levels of fructose, glucose and benzoic acid in the products. Available brands of fruit juices[Mixed Fruit Juice (MFJ) and Mango Juice (MJ)] and fruit nectars [Mixed Fruit Nectar (MFN) andMango Nectar (MN)] were selected through a pre-validated questionnaire. Seven brands of MNand MFN were identified as mostly consumed and there was a significant difference (p<0.05) inthe total fructose and total glucose levels among the brands. Total fructose of MN and MFN was inthe range of 28.54 ± 3.03 gl-1 to 60.28 ± 5.04 gl-1 and 30.46 ± 8.56 gl-1 to 62.47 ± 9.27 gl-1respectively. Total glucose content of MN was in the range of 17.49 ± 5.39 gl-1 to 41.87 ± 2.11 gl-1and for MFN from 29.29 ± 4.34 gl-1 to 85.71 ± 5.64 gl-1. Total fructose in MJ and MFJ was in therange of 32.28 ± 0.86 gl-1 to 37.66 ± 0.55 gl-1 and 33.14 ± 0.87 gl-1 to 36.81 ± 1.81 gl-1 respectively.Three, out of the four brands of MN and MFN contained benzoic acid. One brand of MN and onebrand of MFN had exceeded the permitted level (120 mg/l) of benzoic acid. Benzoic acid waspresent in two, out of three brands of MJ and MFJ. It can be concluded that there is a variation intotal fructose, total glucose and benzoic acid contents in fruit nectars and juices available for sale inAnuradhapura town area. However, some brands have violated the Sri Lanka food regulations.