Available online www.jocpr.com Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2016, 8(8):1139-1145 Research Article ISSN : 0975-7384 CODEN(USA) : JCPRC5 1139 Analysis of minerals in filtered and purified water sold in Senegal Sylla Gueye Rokhaya* 1 , Diop Cheikh 2 , Diouf Louis A.D. 3 , Balde Mamadou 1 , Diedhiou Adama 1 , Ndoye Idrissa 1 , Tine Yoro 1 , Seck Matar 1 , Fall Djibril 1 and Wele Alassane 1 1 Laboratory of Organic and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology (F.M.P.O.), Cheikh Anta Diop University (U.C.A.D), Dakar, Sénégal 2 Laboratory of Toxicology and Hydrology, F.M.P.O., U.C.A.D 3 Laboratory of Biophysics and Pharmaceutical Physics, F.M.P.O., U.C.A.D ABSTRACT Nitrates, chlorides, fluorides and sodium ions were analyzed in filtered and purified water sold in Senegal in small plastic pouches. These pouches are subject to significant consumption by the population. Sodium ions were determined by flame photometry while the other mineral elements were determined by specific electrodes. Of the 6 samples studied, 5 had volumes non-compliant with respect to what was mentioned on the packaging. The analysis of nitrates showed relatively high concentrations, between 50 mg/l and 70 mg/l, for all 6 samples. A maximum of 25 mg/l of nitrates is recommended, by the World Health Organization (WHO), in water intended for consumption. The contents of the samples in fluorides, ranging from 6 mg/l to 11 mg/l, were significantly elevated compared to the standard of WHO in drinking water, which is 1.5 mg/l. The chloride contents of the samples ranged from 40 mg/l to 100 mg/l for all 6 samples, less than the maximum of 250 mg/l of chlorine tolerated by WHO. The sodium content of the studied samples ranged from 26 mg/l to 56 mg/l. For sodium, WHO has not made any recommendation for water intended for consumption, although in Senegal, 200 mg/l is applied. Keywords: Minerals, Water quality, Senegal INTRODUCTION In nature, water is not a pure chemical compound. It is an aqueous solution containing various mineral salts or other compounds [1, 5, 7, 10-11, 13, 16-17]. Thus, its composition in terms of these elements determines its potability, and therefore its interest for man [8, 14]. Indeed, water is essential to life. No living being can survive without water on our planet. Thus, WHO launched the slogan "Water for Life" for the decade 2005-2015, in an effort to make this precious resource of good quality and accessible to all. According to WHO, 20% of the world population has no source of drinking water. Every year millions of people, mostly children, die from diseases associated with lack of safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Every day about 3,900 children die because of dirty water or poor hygiene. Diseases transmitted through water or human waste are the second cause of death among children worldwide, after respiratory diseases [20]. Water’s mineral content is also very important, minerals being essential to the enzymatic and hormonal functioning of the body, the structure of bones and teeth, maintaining heartbeat, muscle contraction, neuronal conductivity and acid-base balance. However, for some minerals, relatively high levels can be source of toxicity [3, 8-9, 18].