Fluoride assay methodology for carbonated beverages.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper was to review different methodological techniques used for the assessment of fluoride in carbonated beverages, and compare results using a fluoride ion electrode direct read method with and without a prior decarbonation treatment.


METHODS
The carbonated beverages in this study were either purchased locally at grocery stores in Iowa City, Iowa, or purchased as part of a national representative sampling approach included in the National Fluoride Database and Intake Assessment Study (NFDIAS). The samples were compared with and without a decarbonating process. Soda pop and beer samples were analyzed by removing a 1-ml sample and adding a 1-ml buffer solution. The fluoride concentration of the sample and buffer combination was then determined using a fluoride ion specific electrode.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the fluoride concentration of the samples with or without prior decarbonation. The mean absolute difference between the soda pop group with and without decarbonation was 0.01 ppm F, while results from the beer samples showed variation of 0.00 to 0.02 parts per million fluoride (ppm F). These differences were not statistically significant for the soda pop or beer groups (P=.50 and P=.74, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Whether or not decarbonation was conducted prior to analysis, the fluoride assay results were the same. Therefore, decarbonation of soda pop and beer was deemed unnecessary prior to fluoride analysis.
Heilman
Judith R
JR
Dows Institute for Dental Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA. judy-heilman@uiowa.edu
Levy
Steven M
SM
Wefel
James S
JS
Patterson
Kristine Y
KY
Cutrufelli
Rena
R
Pehrsson
Pamela R
PR
Holden
Joanne M
JM
D001515:Beer / Q000032:analysis; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D017736:Ion-Selective Electrodes
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005459:Fluorides