Fluoride intake through consumption of tap water and bottled water in Belgium.

There is a tendency to align higher levels of fluoride in natural mineral water with the existing higher levels in tap water. Treatment of natural mineral waters could harm the preservation of their natural character. In this study fluoride intake through bottled and tap water consumption in the Belgian adult population was assessed, taking into account regional differences.

Characterization of the neurotoxicity induced by the extract of Magnistipula butayei (Chrysobalanaceae) in rat: effects of a new natural convulsive agent.

This study was designed to document convulsant and neurotoxic properties of extracts of a tropical tree, Magnistipula butayei subsp. Montana, and to investigate the involvement of the glutamatergic system in these effects. Continuous behavioral observations and electroencephalographic (EEG) records were obtained after per os administration of an aqueous extract of Magnistipula (MBMAE) in rats.

Chemical and biological investigations of a toxic plant from Central Africa, Magnistipula butayei subsp. montana.

Magnistipula butayei subsp. montana (Chrysobalanaceae) is known, in the Great Lakes Region, to possess toxicological properties. In this paper, we investigated the acute toxicity (dose levels 50-1600 mg/kg) of its aqueous extract, administered orally to adult Wistar rats.

[Glycoalkaloids in potatoes].

With its high concentration in starch and vitamins (C, B1 and B2), the potato, cooked in water, is a very interesting source of energy. Unfortunately, it also contains natural toxins: the glycoalkaloids. Their variable amount can depend, in particular, on different environmental factors.

[Cannabis, status in 2001-2002].

Even though its use becomes common, cannabis remains a narcotic, the risks of which are nowadays better known. Its therapeutic value still needs to be scientifically demonstrated.

Optimization and validation of arsenic determination in foods by hydride generation flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

A hydride generation flame atomic absorption spectrometric method was developed and optimized to quantitate arsenic (As) in foods. A wet digestion of the samples with HNO3 + H2O2 was performed and excess oxidants were eliminated by addition of hydrochloric acid and urea. As5+ in As3+ was then reduced by potassium iodide.

Determination of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in potatoes by high-performance thin-layer chromatography/densitometry.

A high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was used to determine the glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in potatoes. Alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine are extracted from dehydrated potatoes with boiling methanol-acetic acid (95 + 5, v/v). The analytes are separated on a Silica Gel 60 F254 HPTLC plate by a saturated mixture of dichloromethane-methanol-water-concentrated ammonium hydroxide (70 + 30 + 4 + 0.

[Activity of street drugs].

In the seized samples, the concentrations of diamorphine (heroin) varied from zero to more than seventy percent and the concentrations of cocaine from zero to more than ninety percent. Such variations in concentrations of active constituents constitute a major risk for those who use and abuse street drugs.

[Foreign proteins in meat products].

The analysis methods for the detection and quantitation of foreign proteins in meat products are reviewed: indirect determinations, physico- and immunochemical procedures. Among all these available techniques, the most suitable are ELISA and electrophoresis.

[Meat and risks of its consumption].

The hazards of meat consummation are not necessary imputable from production technology but rather to bad practices of consummation.

Death through injection of barbiturates.

The authors report two cases of lethal intoxication due to barbiturates in two male individuals, respectively 24 and 35 years old. They stress the comparatively rare mode of administration of such drugs in the absence of another party, i.e.