Citation

Glenewinkel F, Iffland R, Grellner W. Blutalkohol 1998; 35(1): 36-47.

Affiliation

Glenewinkel, F., Institut fur Rechtsmedizin, Universitat zu Koln, D-50823 Koln, Germany

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Designer drinks are heavily sweetened and flavoured, carbonated, alcoholic drinks. They have been on the market since 1995, almost exclusively in GB. They are usually sold in the form of alcoholic lemonades (Alcopops), very sweet cider (Apple wines) or mixed drinks. Their presentation and flavour have been made particularly attractive for children and young people. An attempt to create a connection between names, symbols and ingredients and a certain group can also be observed with other drinks such as beers. As these kinds of drinks are of a certain forensic interest, congener substances of several new beverages were analysed. The high 2-propanole content of some drinks manufactured in GB was quite remarkable. So far no explanation could be found for this as large amounts of 2-propanole are only formed during alcoholic fermentation when a bacterial infection is present. In that case high levels of 2-propanole and n-propanole are formed. However, these could not be detected in the beverages. In some cases the 2-propanole concentrations are so high that in the case of a blood alcohol level of 0.5 5(per mille) 2-propanole and acetone levels would rise in the blood to reach levels usually only achieved in cases of alcohol abuse.