Authors : S. O. Okeniyi and J. A. Kolawole
Abstract: Zobo, a local Nigerian drink suddenly became a household and commercial drink for all classes of people within the past two years, without recourse to possible health implication. A quantitative mineral element content of the water extract of the calyx (Zobo) was carried out. The two major varieties of Hibiscus sabdariffa var rubber-light red calyx (sample 1), and var sabdariffa � dark red calyx (sample 11), found in Nigeria, were used for the analysis, using AAS, flame emission spectroscoipy and classical titrimetric methods for the determination of the minerals. Mineral ions assayed are Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Bicarnonate (HCO) and Chloride (Cl-).The mineral element content of the drink was found to be K, 324.52 � 400.19mg/L; Na 2.58-8.52mg/L; Ca,140.09�164.01mg/L; Mg 37.52.52-69mg/L; Mn 2.4-11.6mg/L; Fe,0.44-4.58mg/L; Zn, 0.39-0.9mg/L; Pb, 0.00-0.73mg/L; Cd, 0.00-0.05mg/L and anions, C1-, 0.001 � 0.9mg/L and HCO-, 6.67.0mg/L. The extract from sample 11 on the average has a higher mineral element content, than sample 1, however the difference were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The claimed diuretic and antihypertensive effects of the drink might be linked with the high level of K and low level of Na and Cl-
S. O. Okeniyi and J. A. Kolawole , 2007. Quantitative Mineral Ion Content Of A Nigerian Local Refreshing Drink � "Zobo" � (Water Extract of Hibiscus Sardriffa Calyx).. Research Journal of Pharmacology, 1: 23-26.