Fatal poisoning from Nicotiana glauca leaves: identification of anabasine by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Abstract

Death of a worker occurred after ingestion of unknown amounts of Nicotiana glauca G leaves. The leaves were cooked after having been mistakenly considered to be spices of a type which grow in Thailand. After ingestion, two Thai workers collapsed, one with asystolia. Resuscitation efforts were successful only for one of the victims. A GC/MS method was used for the identification of anabasine as the main constituent in the leaves, food extract, blood, and the urine of the deceased. Lacking a standard, it was necessary to interpret the GC/MS spectrum to identify anabasine and establish its presence.

• Authors: N Mizrachi, S Levy, Z Q Goren
• Journal: Journal of forensic sciences (J Forensic Sci) Vol. 45 Issue 3 Pg. 736-41 (May 2000) ISSN: 0022-1198 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10855991 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Insecticides
• Anabasine

Topics

• Anabasine (analysis)
• Fatal Outcome
• Forensic Medicine (methods)
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Humans
• Insecticides (analysis)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Plants, Toxic
• Tobacco (poisoning)