[The isolation of organic compounds from hydrosulfuric mineral waters with the use of the extractive freezing-out technique with centrifugation]. / Vydelenie organicheskikh veshchestv iz serovodorodnykh mineral'nykh vod metodom ekstraktsionnogo vymorazhivaniya s tsentrifugirovaniem.

The mineral waters, enriched with organic substances find extensive application in balneotherapy. The fast and efficient methods for the identification and quantitative measurement of organic compounds (in the first place, organic acids) in such waters need to be developed for the estimation of their quality and biological activity. AIM: The objective of the present study was to elaborate a gas chromatographic method for the determination of monobasic carbonic acids in sulfide-containing mineral waters by means of extractive freezing-out in combination with the application of the centrifugal forces for the elucidation of the metrological characteristics of the compounds of interest. The secondary objective was to estimate the prospects for the application of the method of interest for determining the dissolved organic compounds in mineral waters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The following carbonic acids were used for the purposes of the study: acetic acid (analytical grade), Russia; propionic grade (extra pure), Ferak, Germany; butyric acid (pure), Russia; valeric acid (pure), Russia; caproic acid (pure), Russia; oenanthic acid (pure), Russia; and caprylic acid (pure), Russia). Acetonitrile («O¼ grade), Russia, was used as the extracting agent. The LV-210 analytical balance (Russia) was used to prepare the model and standard solutions of the organic compounds and to determine their mass. The extracts and standard mixture were investigated by the gas chromatographic technique with the use of the Kristallyuks apparatus («Meta-Khrom¼, Russia) equipped with the flame ionization detector and the capillary column. Extractive freezing-out in the combination with centrifugation was performed with the laboratory installation for this purpose. RESULTS: Under the model conditions, a single extractive freezing-out procedure with the centrifugation of the sample made it possible to reach the 22-37-fold concentration of C2-C8 monobasic carbonic acids during their transfer from water into acetonitrile. The metrological parameters of the proposed procedure for gas-chromatographic determination of the aforementioned acids in hydrosulfuric mineral waters were estimated. The limit of detection of acetic and propionic acids has been 0,2 mg/l, that for butyric acid 0,1 mg/l, for valeric, caproic, oenanthic and caprylic acids 0,05 mg/l. We failed to identify C2-C8 carbonic acids in hydrosulfuric water from the 6T well of the field Matsesta fields. The investigation of the extracts obtained by the proposed extraction procedure with the use of the newly developed variant of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode-matrix detection revealed the presence of various amounts of unknown organic substances. The UV-spectrum of one of those components was obtained which made it possible to conjecture its molecular structure. The procedure for the sample preparation and the following determination of organic acids in water is simple, carried out in a single stage, and does not impose special requirements to the qualification of the researcher. It allows to describe the newly developed technique as a rapid test method. Along with it, realization of extraction in the negative temperature mode reduces the risk of decomposition of the thermally unstable chemical compounds being extracted and reduces volatility of the organic solvents being used. The technology of the method does not demand a special laboratory glassware and expendables.

[The marketing evaluation of the consumers' preference as regards the use of medicinal and medicinal table mineral waters].

The development of modern technologies in physiotherapy with the use of mineral waters, the expansion of the assortment of the medicinal and medicinal table waters as well as increasing the competitive advantages of domestic products require the more extensive marketing survey of the consumers' preferences in the market of mineral waters. AIM: The objective of the present study was the marketing evaluation of the consumers' preference in the segment of medicinal and medicinal table mineral waters in the city of Moscow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey involved 697 consumers of medicinal and medicinal table mineral waters. The sampling was carried out by the deterministic quota method. The field research was conducted by means of personal verbal interviews (32%) and the CATI to Web method (phone recruiting and on-line questioning) (68%) with the use of the structured questionnaire. Positioning was carried out making use of the two-dimensional schematic map and scoring assessment on an individual basis with calculation of integrated indicators. RESULTS: The marketing evaluation has demonstrated that the principal motive for purchasing mineral waters in more than 40% of respondents was the treatment and prevention of various diseases including disturbances in the urogenital system as well as digestive and respiratory disorders that appear to be the most frequent reasons for the consumption of mineral waters. The main factors that form the preferences of the consumers as regards the use of a concrete variety of mineral waters were elucidated. Of crucial importance for approximately 40% of the consumers (p<0.01) proved to be their health condition, the medical indications, and the available information about the therapeutic effectiveness of one or another type of mineral waters. Other factors were the quality of mineral water, its cost, the manufacturer and/or place of production, the attractiveness of the packaging, etc. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of the positioning of the mineral water consumers' preferences made it possible to identify the most preferable products in the group of medicinal mineral waters and in the group of medicinal table mineral waters. The mechanisms governing the formation of the consumers' preferences as regards the use of various mineral waters have been clarified in the course of the present study.

[Isolation of the organic components from Munok mineral water].

The solid-state extraction technique and chromatography mass spectrometry were used to study the intrinsic composition of organic components of the mineral water obtained from the Munok deposit located in the Kazachinsko-Lensk district, Irkutsk region. The active components determining the mechanism of action of a mineral water-based preparation were identified and showed to operate similarly to those of Naftusya mineral water. The balneotherapeutic preparation was fabricated making use of the earlier developed technology of water vapor distillation. The analysis of organic components of mineral water and its extraction products showed the presence of aliphatic hydrocarbons with the high content of unsaturated compounds. The preparation thus obtained, unlike the standard balneotherapeutic medicines, does riot contain an inorganic matrix; it was shown to increase body resistance in the phase of remission in the patients treated for the management of urolithiasis.

[Study of the composition of steam condensate at the Yangan-Tau health resort].

Investigation into the composition of steam condensate from gasothermal baths at the Yangan-Tau health resort showed that it contains a large amount of organic substances. The overwhelming majority of these compounds were shown to be products of thermo-oxidative breakdown of bituminol. They were studied with a view to identifying potential carcinogenic agents. Eight compounds found in the gasothermal baths of the health resort are known to be on the list of carcinogenic agents. However, their concentration does not exceed the maximum permissible levels which confirms that these baths pose no carcinogenic risk for the patients. The sole radioactive agent present at an elevated concentration is radon considered to be a therapeutic factor of the Yangan-Tau gasothermal baths.

[The statement of Polish Gynaecologic Society experts concerning drinking water consumption in women in reproductive age, pregnancy and breast feeding]. / Stanowisko Zespolu Ekspertów Polskiego Towarzystwa Ginekologicznego dotyczaqce spozycia wody pitnej przez kobiety w okresie rozrodczym, ciezarne oraz karmiace piersia.

Water is a substance essential for life. It creates the environment of our body, keeps it's homeostasis, enables every biochemical reaction and metabolic processes in human organism. Maternal hydratation is essential for homeostasis of two organisms and drinking water influences the amniotic fluid volume, fetal well-being and removes toxic metabolic products. The chemical contaminants of drinking water and products of it's chlorination and ozonization could be responsible for spontaneous abortion, birth defects and perinatal complications. Therefore it is recommended to drink natural mineral water for women in reproductive age.

[Determination of content of zinc and cooper in table and therapeutic mineral water]. / Ocena zawartosci cynku i miedzi w stolowych wodach mineralnych i leczniczych.

Mineral table water and therapeutic water are good sources of macro- and microelement. Increase of consumption and variety of kinds of mineral water was the reason for undertaking this research. Contents of zinc and copper were determined in 13 kinds of mineral table water and in 12 kinds of therapeutic water by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry method (AAS) in Pye-Unicam SP0192 apparatus, after earlier concentration. Content of copper in mineral table water was from 0.4 microgram/l in "Krynica Zdrój" water to 11 micrograms/l in "Mazowszanka" water and in therapeutic water and from 1.7 micrograms/l to 22.6 micrograms/l. Content of zinc in mineral table water was from 7 micrograms/l to 640 micrograms/l and in therapeutic water was from 24 micrograms/l to 88 micrograms/l.

[Mineral water or tap water? A systematic analysis of the literature concerning the question of microbial safety]. / Mineralwasser oder Leitungswasser? Eine systematische Literaturanalyse zur Frage der mikrobiellen Sicherheit.

BACKGROUND: Based on sporadic reports of microbial contamination of mineral waters, it has been recommended that, for safety reasons, particularly immunocompromised patients should drink tap water rather than bottled mineral water. However, in terms of safety, evidence of the clinical consequences may allow a better estimate than a positive in vitro test for contamination. Therefore, we reviewed the literature on documented disease outbreaks due to contaminated mineral and tap waters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a systematic search of the literature using the database MEDLINE. In order to identify evidence relevant for Germany, we restricted our search to the years 1985-1997 (i.e. legal force of the mineral and table waters act in Germany) and the countries of Central and Northwestern Europe as well as the USA and Canada. RESULTS: Cases of contamination of tap water were documented in nearly all countries included. In 35 communications we found reports on a total of 423,000 cases of disease outbreaks due to contaminated tap water, in some cases even with lethal outcome. Main diagnosis was gastroenteritis, and main species of microorganism was crytosporidium. In contrast, there was no documented case of disease outbreak due to contaminated bottled mineral water. CONCLUSION: Tap water as well as bottled water are both supremely safe components of nutrition. The recommendation that tap water is better than mineral water, particularly for high-risk patients, is not supported by the literature.

Influence of a mineral water on the rheological characteristics of reconstituted infant formulas and diluted cows' milk.

A bottled spring water with a low mineral content was compared with tap water in the reconstitution and/or dilution of five different infant formulas and cows' milk. The osmolality, buffering power and renal solute load potential of the formulas reconstituted with the bottled water were all significantly lower than when tap water was used (P < 0.01). When the bottled water was used to dilute cows' milk, the morphology of milk casein precipitates (after addition of rennet) was finer and more dispersed than when tap water was used. For formula reconstitution and milk dilution, a benefit, in terms of solute/electrolyte balance, appears to be conferred on infants by the improved rheological characteristics of modified milks reconstituted or diluted with this bottled mineral water.

[Legal requirements, quality criteria, therapeutic interest and dietetics of mineral waters: study of the case of the natural mineral water of Evian]. / Exigences légales, critères de qualité intérêt thérapeutique et diététique des eaux minérales: étude du cas de l'eau minérale naturelle d'Evian.

The considerable increase in mineral water sales as a daily drink reflects more or less the continued confidence in spa treatments, and this has caused the Public Authorities to set up very strict regulations in this field. We explain the main provisions of these regulations, compare mineral water with ordinary drinking water and complete this report with a study on the representative case of Evian Mineral water since it is the most exported water in the world. We emphasize the key points regarding the origin of the water which must be very well protected, its mineralization leading to its part played in dietetics and daily consumption, its use in spas and the research on its therapeutic effects, its bottling and the controls enabling its original high quality to be maintained. The conclusion reviews the motivations for the mineral water consumer: taste, quality, favorable effects on health. These motivations linked together have a varying importance according to the persons or situations involved. They result in precise requirements to be met by the producing companies in three fields: quality, advertising, credibility and scientific research.