Determination of Electrolytes (Na, K and Li) by Flame Photometry and Separation of Trace Metals (Ni, Co and Fe) Using Cation Exchange Resin in Selected Sweets of Different Shops of Karachi City

Concentration of electrolytes (Na, K and Li) and trace metals (Fe, Ni and Co) was estimated in selected sweets purchased from eight famous shops of Karachi city. For the determination of electrolytes samples of eight different sweets (Gulab Jaman, Chumchum, Colored Chumchum, Bhashani Chumchum, Khopry ki Mithai, Qalaqand, Besin ka Luddo and Patisa) were analyzed through flame photometry. For the determination of Ni, Co and Fe solution of the sample of Gulab Jaman from six selected shops were passed through cation exchange resin. It was observed that all the three metals required 6 M HNO3 for their complete elution through Dowex 50-X8 strong cation exchange resin, Ni required 30 mL of the acid, Co required 15 mL and Fe required 45 mL of 6 M HNO3, while metals were determined through atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results for electrolytes were compared with recommended dietary allowances (RDA) values and it was observed that almost all the sweets contain high concentration of electrolytes. Therefore present study infer that the ingredients, which are used for the preparation of those sweets, are rich in electrolytes. Whereas results for iron and nickel are in accordance with RDA values. Results for cobalt are seemed to be higher than the recommended values of RDA.