Analysis of essential elements in Pito—a cereal food drink and its brands by the single-comparator method of neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis using the single-comparator method has been used for the multielement determination of essential elements in two main types of Pito brewed locally in Ghana. The precision and accuracy of the analytical method was validated and found to be within 10%. In all, eight different brands of Pito depending on the type of cereal crop used in brewing were analyzed for 13 different elements (Al, As, Ba, Cl, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Si, and Zn). It was observed that all brands were particularly enriched in nutrient elements Cl, Mg, and K. The rest were generally found in varying concentrations. As these elements are bioavailable in natural form, perhaps in combination with organic constituents, they are likely to be easily digested and assimilated by the human body. Arsenic, a toxic element, was found in insignificant amounts suggesting that it was within safe limits.