Differentiation of Spanish brandies according to their metal content.

Eleven metals, namely, aluminium, calcium, cadmium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc were determined in twenty samples of Sherry brandies and twelve samples of Penedés brandies by applying atomic spectrometry techniques. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used for quantitating calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc; atomic emission spectrometry to determine potassium and sodium; and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry to analyse aluminium, cadmium and lead. A chemometric approach was followed to study the discrimination between brandies from Sherry or Penedés according to the metal profile.

Toxicological assessment of indium nitrate on aquatic organisms and investigation of the effects on the PLHC-1 fish cell line.

Indium nitrate is mainly used as a semiconductor in batteries, for plating and other chemical and medical applications. There is a lack of available information about the adverse effects of indium compounds on aquatic organisms. Therefore, the toxic effects on systems from four trophic levels of the aquatic ecosystem were investigated.

Ecotoxicological effects of the antioxidant additive propyl gallate in five aquatic systems.

Propyl gallate is an antioxidant widely used in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The occurrence and fate of additives in the aquatic environment is an emerging issue in environmental chemistry. To date, there is little available information about the adverse effects of propyl gallate on aquatic organisms.

Toxicological effects of the lipid regulator gemfibrozil in four aquatic systems.

Gemfibrozil is a lipid-regulating agent widely used in patients at risk of coronary disease. Pharmaceutical products, such as gemfibrozil, are found in municipal effluents and represent a major source of contamination. To date, there is little available information about the adverse effects of gemfibrozil in aquatic organisms.

Ecotoxicological evaluation of sodium fluoroacetate on aquatic organisms and investigation of the effects on two fish cell lines.

Sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080) is one of the most potent pesticides. It is also a metabolite of many other fluorinated compounds, including anticancer agents, narcotic analgesics, pesticides or industrial chemicals. Other sources of water contamination are the atmospheric degradation of hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons.