Comparative Analysis on the Conductivity of Electrolytes of Different Energy Drinks

Comparative Analysis on the Conductivity of Electrolytes of Different Energy Drinks[pic 3]

A Research Project

Presented to the

Department of Biochemistry

Faculty of Pharmacy

University of Santo Tomas

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements

Chemistry 112

General Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis

By

JUGNO, ANNE CATHERINE C.

LALOG, ADRIAN D.

MANALO, MICAH KESIYA M.

MANIPOL, ERWIN T.

MENDOZA, HANNAH DAPHNE M.

May 2015

This Research Project entitled, Comparative Analysis on the Conductivity of Electrolytes of Different Energy Drinks , prepared and submitted by Jugno, Anne Catherine C., Lalog, Adrian D., Manalo, Micah Kesiya M., Manipol, Erwin T. , Mendoza, and Hannah Daphne M. has been accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Chemistry 112 - General Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis.

  _________________________                       __________________________

  Ms. Maritess D. Cation, RCh, MS                  Asst. Prof. Ma. Teresa R. Suratos, PhD Cand.

       Research Project Adviser                        Research Project Adviser

_______________________________

Asst. Prof. Michelle Cruz, MA

Panelist

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to Mrs. Maritess Cation, who has given us her valuable time, advice, criticism and correction to this research project from beginning up to the end of the writing.

We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to Mrs. Ma. Teresa Suratos for her full support, expert guidance, understanding and encouragement throughout our study and research. In addition, we express our appreciation to Ms. Michelle Cruz for having served as our committee. Her thoughtful questions, comments, and suggestions were valued greatly.

We would also like to thank the Faculty of Pharmacy laboratory technicians for supplying us with the apparatus and instruments needed in order to conduct our experiment.

Last but not the least, we would like to thank God for having blessed and guided us so that we may be able to accomplish this research project. Also to our family and friends for their unconditional love and unwavering support all throughout.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to identify which energy drink is best suitable to drink in order to boost the body’s performance. The number of electrolytes present in the drink will determine how much energy a sample drink can give to its consumer. This study is subjected only to the relation of the number of electrolytes present in the drink and how it affects the body’s performance. There are five sample energy drinks to be tested and compared. Conductivity was used to test each drink and the formula G=I/V were used to derive the total average conductance. To test for conductance, a conductivity apparatus was used along with six beakers and electrodes. Before testing the sample drinks, calibration of the conductivity apparatus with distilled water is needed. After this step, the researchers proceeded in testing the sample drinks by connecting the alligator clips to the electrodes at the top of the beaker containing the sample drink. The results obtained in this study are as follows, Gatorade as Sample D with the highest average conductance of 739.39nS and Sting as Sample E with the lowest average conductance of 663.63nS. The researchers conclude that Gatorade which garnered the highest average conductance among the five sample drinks is the most suitable energy drink to boost the body’s performance.

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Exercise is a key part of staying healthy. It maintains or enhances physical fitness, overall health and wellness. But exercising drains the body's stores of fluids and minerals, which must be replaced. Most experts agree that if you are engaged in light to moderate exercise, drinking a glass or two of water should do the trick. But if you are exercising strenuously, you also need to replenish some of the salts that your body loses through sweat. These salts are also known as electrolytes.

Electrolytes are salts which are naturally part of body fluids. When an athlete (or anyone else who engages in physical activity) sweats, electrolytes are lost through the sweat. If electrolytes are lost too quickly, the body does not have the ability to restore them as quickly as they were lost. Energy drinks contain electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, and potassium to help replenish what was lost through sweat. These electrolytes must be replaced to keep the electrolyte concentrations of your body fluids constant. Giving electrolytes back into the body helps keep dehydration from occurring. A person who is exerting energy can quickly become dehydrated, in as little as 30 minutes. Dehydration can become a very serious problem if not attended to. Dehydration may lead to dizziness, weakness, and palpitations; this may even cause one to faint. Electrolytes help to increase the absorption of fluids into the bloodstream.

        Energy drinks contain electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. People can gain many benefits from these drinks while they are physically engaged in activities. Some of the said benefits are they tend to re-hydrate and energize the body.

The researchers are very interested in the effectivity of the selected energy drinks and so they decided to conduct this study.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study seeks to determine the effectivity of an energy drink based on the number of electrolytes present. Specifically it is sought to answer the following questions: