DETERMINATION OF COBALT, MANGANESE, AND ALCOHOL CONTENT IN BEERS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of exposure to cobalt and manganese through the consumption of different brands of c ommercial beers widely consumed in Spain, considered as two groups acc ording to their alcohol content. The Mn and Co concentrations in beer samples ranged from 25.29 to 228.60 mu g/liter and 0.16 to 0.56 mu g/l iter, respectively. These contents do not differ from those found in o ther countries, and all comply with the maximum levels permitted by la w. Significant differences occurred only in Mn content between beers w ith and without alcohol. The consumption of alcoholic beers contribute s to an increased body burden of Mn among heavy consumers. According t o the low levels of Co found in both types of beers, we can suggest th at there is no risk of suffering cardiomyopathies and there is no sign ificant contribution to the total intake of the element in heavy beer drinkers.