Abstract:
Background: The concentrations of heavy metals namely; Cadmium, Lead, chromium, Zinc and
(Cd, Cr and Pb) including Iron (Fe), were determined in traditionally fermented brews samples
from Kericho and Bomet Counties in South Rift, Kenya in 2013.
METHODS: The levels of heavy metals were determined using a single beam Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Ethanol was analysed using a gas chromatography
(Varian3400cx) and a Refractometer (RFM 330 Bellingham Stanley limited) in Egerton
University.
RESULTS: Concentrations of heavy metals in the brews samples analyzed in descending order
of Zn > Cd > Pb> Cu were detected, but, the rest (Fe and Cr) were not detected. The highest
concentration of Cadmium (0.086) was detected in changaa from kaplong while the lowest value
(0.041) in changaa from Chepkuchun. The highest concentration of Pb (0.189 ppm), Zn (0.777
ppm) and Cu (0.0745 ppm) were detected in kinaro, kangarek and busaa respectively. The
average ethanol content of the samples of kinaro was 33.65% Kangarek was 11.98% while in
Changaa was 25%.
