Caffeine Concentration in Red Bull, Monster, Black Bruin, Lucozade, 3 Horses and Bullet Energy Drink

Caffeine Content in Red Bull, Monster, Black Bruin, Lucozade, 3 Horses and Bullet energy drinks were determined at Food and Biotechnology Research Center, PCSIR Lahore.

The caffeine concentration in selected energy drinks ranges 9.96 to 8.36 mg per 100 mL. The found concentration in Lucozade was 8.36 mg/100 mL. Similarly, content of caffeine in Bullet, Monster, Black Bruin, Red Bull and 3 Horses was 8.84 mg/100 mL, 8.82 mg/100 mL, 9.96 mg/100 mL, 9.42 mg/100 mL and 9.38 mg/100 mL respectively (Table I). The highest content of caffeine was observed in Black Bruin which is 9.96 mg/100 mL among all energy drinks, so it is most strongly stimulates the central nervous system. The least caffeine content was observed in Lucozade which is 8.36 mg/100 mL and it is a slightly weak Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant than the other brands. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) characterizes the caffeine as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) ingredient. However, the most extreme sum in carbonated drinks is restricted to 0.02% or no more than 200 ppm by FDA. The most elevated legitimate measure of caffeine permitted within 355 mL (12 oz) cane of energy beverage is around 71 mg. In this way, Bullet, Black Bruin and Red Bull can contain the highest caffeine level of 50 mg/250 mL, Lucozade and 3 Horses must be below than 66 mg/330 mL and Monster 71 mg/355 mL. Here all the Energy Drinks Lucozade, Bullet, Monster, Black Bruin Red Bull and 3 Horses did not cross the limit set by FDA USA. 

Table I: Found caffeine concentrations.

Brand name	Calculated conc. (mg/100mL)	Calculated conc. Per bottle (mg/mL)
Lucozade	8.36	27.601/330
Bullet	8.84	22.108/250
Monster	8.82	31.319/355
Black Bruin	9.96	24.908/250
Red Bull	9.42	23.550/250
3 Horses	9.38	30.966/330

Comparison of Labeled and Calculated Concentrations of Caffeine

The concentration of caffeine for Lucozade had been labeled 30 mg/100 mL calculated was 27.60 mg/330 mL. The Bullet had labeled concentration 30 mg/100 mL and calculated was 22.108 mg/250 mL. The Monster had labeled caffeine content 30 mg/100 mL and calculated was 31.319 mg/355 mL. The Black Bruin had labeled maximum concentration 150mg/L and calculated was 24.908 mg/250 mL. The Red Bull had labeled concentration 30 mg/100 mL and calculated 23.550 mg/355 mL. The 3 Horses had labeled concentration 32 mg/100 mL and calculated 30.966 mg/330 mL. So, all brand had less than their labeled caffeine content amount (Table II).

Table II: Levels of caffeine concentrations.

Brand name	Serving size (mL)	Calculated conc.  (mg)	Labeled conc. (mg/100mL)
Lucozade	330	27.600	30
Bullet	250	22.108	30
Monster	355	31.319	30
Black Bruin	250	24.908	15
Red Bull	355	23.550	30
3 Horses	330	30.966	32

Level of caffeine concentrations in all the samples energy drinks were under the standards set by FDA. This infers everyday utilization of any of the example caffeinated drink might not have any unfriendly impact on the purchaser. But everyday utilization of at least two cans of the caffeinated drink may have unfriendly impacts particularly on youngsters and pregnant ladies.

The above results shown that these brands mislead the customers by labeling the wrong concentration.  The concerned authorities must ensure the concentration of caffeine in these energy drinks with the labeled amount. If the determined content of the  ingredient is found to be different with the labeled one of any brands, it should be banned immediately.

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