Evaluation of Alcohol Content and Methanol Adulteration in Locally Brewed Spirits (Ogogoro) Sampled in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Locally distilled spirits, popularly called ogogoro in South South Nigeria, are widely consumed in Bayelsa State due to their low cost and cultural significance. However, unregulated artisanal distillation processes raise concerns about methanol contamination, which can cause irreversible optic nerve damage and death. This study evaluated ethanol and methanol concentrations in fifteen ogogoro samples collected from five production communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area and its environs. Gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection was used to quantify ethanol and methanol against certified calibration standards. Density and specific gravity were also measured as supporting physicochemical parameters. Ethanol concentrations ranged from 28 to 62% v/v, indicating significant variability in product strength. Methanol was detected in eleven of the fifteen samples, with three samples exceeding the WHO acceptable limit of 2 g/L in alcoholic beverages. Samples from riverside communities using improvised distillation equipment showed higher methanol contamination compared to those using standardised pot stills. The findings confirm a real public health risk from methanol poisoning associated with ogogoro consumption in Bayelsa State. Regulatory engagement with local distillers, community health education, and the provision of affordable methanol detection kits are recommended as immediate interventions. Keywords: ogogoro, methanol adulteration, gas chromatography, Bayelsa State, alcohol content.