Ch. Hocart et B. Fankhauser, BETEL NUT RESIDUES IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SAMPLES OF HUMAN TEETH FROM THE MARIANA-ISLANDS, Experientia, 52(3), 1996, pp. 281-285
Two tetrahydropyridine alkaloids, arecaidine and guvacine that are cha
racteristic of betel nut (Areca catechu L.) have been detected in the
deliberately stained labial surface of female teeth excavation on Rota
, Mariana Islands. This was accomplished using selected ion monitoring
techniques in conjunction with gas chromatography/electron impact-mas
s spectrometry. These alkaloids were not present on the buccal surface
of the teeth and indicate the use of betel nut to effect the staining
.