Edible clays are consumed by diverse groups of people, especially of African descent, living in Africa and abroad, in a behavior known as geophagy. The clays are used topically as an emollient and drying agent and internally to control diarrhea. Scientific information concerning the chemical constituents and toxicity of edible clays is scarce. The aims of the present study, therefore, were to ascertain the chemical composition of white edible clays (WEC) and gray edible clays (GEC); to determine their toxicity profiles using analytical chemical methods; to test the acute and sub-acute toxicity of edible clays in their natural form as consumed; and to compare the raw and processed clays, and also to compare the latter to a proprietary drug known as ‘Mist kaolin’ (Moko®) which contains some clay along with other chemicals. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were used to determine the elements present. White female Wistar mice and rats were used for the acute and sub-acute toxicity analyses, respectively. The results from AAS showed the presence of heavy metals and metalloids in both GEC and WEC, and the GC/MS revealed the presence of contaminants such as indomethacin and ethyl benzene, but quantities were below human toxicity levels. Doses of 100–500 mg/kg of either clay type could be harmful to the digestive system, but all of the tests revealed that edible clay is not toxic to humans unless very large amounts (500–1000 mg/kg of body weight) are consumed.

食用黏土被生活在非洲和国外的各种人群，尤其是非洲人后裔，以一种称为“地吞法”的行为消费。粘土局部用作润肤剂和干燥剂，内部用于控制腹泻。关于食用粘土的化学成分和毒性的科学信息很少。因此，本研究的目的是确定白色食用黏土（WEC）和灰色食用黏土（GEC）的化学成分。使用分析化学方法确定其毒性概况；测试食用的天然食用粘土的急性和亚急性毒性；并比较原料和加工过的粘土，并将后者与一种称为“雾高岭土”（Moko®）的专有药物进行比较，该药物含有一些粘土以及其他化学物质。原子吸收光谱法（AAS）和气相色谱/质谱法（GC / MS）用于确定存在的元素。雌性Wistar雌性小鼠和大鼠分别用于急性和亚急性毒性分析。AAS的结果表明，GEC和WEC中都存在重金属和准金属，而GC / MS则表明存在诸如吲哚美辛和乙苯等污染物，但数量低于人体毒性水平。每种粘土的剂量为100–500 mg / kg可能对消化系统有害，但所有测试均表明，除非食用大量的粘土（500–1000 mg / kg体重），否则食用粘土对人类无毒。消耗。雌性Wistar雌性小鼠和大鼠分别用于急性和亚急性毒性分析。AAS的结果表明，GEC和WEC中都存在重金属和准金属，而GC / MS则表明存在诸如吲哚美辛和乙苯等污染物，但数量低于人体毒性水平。每种粘土的剂量为100–500 mg / kg可能对消化系统有害，但所有测试均表明，除非食用大量的粘土（500–1000 mg / kg体重），否则食用粘土对人类无毒。消耗。雌性Wistar雌性小鼠和大鼠分别用于急性和亚急性毒性分析。AAS的结果表明，GEC和WEC中都存在重金属和准金属，而GC / MS则表明存在诸如吲哚美辛和乙苯等污染物，但数量低于人体毒性水平。每种粘土的剂量为100–500 mg / kg可能对消化系统有害，但所有测试均表明，除非食用大量的粘土（500–1000 mg / kg体重），否则食用粘土对人类无毒。消耗。