[Fluoride content of soft drinks produced in Poland]. / Zawartosc fluoru w napojach bezalkoholowych produkowanych w Polsce.

Fluoride content of 81 commercial brands of soft drinks and bottled waters were determined using potentiometric method with ion selective electrode. In the beverages produced in the same factory fluoride level were similar. The connection between elevation of fluoride levels and ingredients of investigated products such as juice or cola extract was not found. However, in some samples of ice tea drinks containing the tea extract fluoride levels might have been raised up to 1.28 mg/l. Fluoride contents of beverages from 28 producers ranged from 0.01 to 0.30 mg/l and only from 4 producers up to 0.60 mg/l. The highest level of fluoride (1.39 mg/l) has been determined in one sample of mineral water. In conclusion, ice tea beverages and certain mineral water, made and sold in Poland, may constitute an important source of fluoride in diet. Their consumption, particularly in case of children, must be controlled.

[The investigation of presence of genetically modified protein in processed foodstuffs by ELISA test]. / Badanie obecnosci bialka zmodyfikowanego genetycznie w przetworzonych produktach sojowych testem ELISA.

The test based on immunoassay--TRAIT-RUR Toasted Soy Meal Kit was used for detection GMO-soy protein in the processed (heat treated) foodstuffs: bread, macaroni, sausages, ready-to-serve products and soya products (tofu, steaks). The threshold level is about 0,6% protein. The positive results were obtained for 27 from 106 investigated products. Only 5 foodstuffs were declared as containing GMO-soy in composition. The presence of genetically modified ingredients in foodstuffs must be controlled. The proper information should be labelled for the consumer.

[The content of histamine and tyramine dependent of microbiological quality of salted herring stored at different temperatures]. / Zawartosc histaminy i tyraminy w zaleznosci od jakosci mikrobiologicznej sledzi solonych, przechowywanych w róznych temperaturach.

Twenty six samples of salted herring from Warsaw food market were analyzed. Herrings in high-salted brine (with 26% content of salt) were stored for 21 days at temperature of 4 degrees C and 22 degrees C; low-salted (16% content of salt in brine) herring were stored for 42 days at temperature of 4 degrees C and 22 degrees C. Microbiological contamination level was assessed by standard methods for fish products, and biogenic amines--histamine and tyramine content by spectrofluorometric methods. There was no level change of both amines in high-salted herrings. Significant increase of tyramine content was observed in low-salted samples, depending on the time of storage. The highest level of tyramine up to 318 mg/kg--was observed after 6 weeks of storage. Histamine content increased in low-salted sampled up to 35 mg/kg during the period of storage. Aerobic microflora in the amount up to 10(6)/g was detected during storage of low-salted samples. Such level changes were not observed in high-salted herring samples.

[Detection of genetic modification in maize and maize products by ELISA-test]. / Badanie kukurydzy i produktów z niej pochodzacych z rynku krajowego na obecnosc modyfikacji genetycznych testem ELISA.

Enzyme immunoassay methods--TRAIT Test--was applied for detection of genetic modification in maize seeds and foodstuffs, which have been produced from this crop. TRAIT Test is based on the identification GMO protein Cry 1Ab produced by a gene derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) incorporated into insect resistant corn grain. The experiment was carried out on maize standards and foodstuffs from Warsaw market. The positive result was obtained for one maize product, which was not labelled as GMO. The presence of GMO material was approximately equal to 1%. In conclusion, this test is proper for fast routine qualitative (yes/no) determination GMO material in maize seeds and unprocessed food products.