Salsolinol is present in human fluids and tissues as well as in foods and beverages. It was shown previously that the R enantiomer of salsolinol predominates in human urine, whereas the S enantiomer predominates in Port wine. An R/S ratio very near to 1 was found in dried banana, a food particularly rich in salsolinol. In this study 100 g of dried banana were administered to 6 healthy subjects. The urinary excretion of the R and S enantiomers of salsolinol was measured 24h before and 24h after banana intake, each time in two fractions. Whereas the S enantiomer was present only in the fraction 5 p.m.-9 a.m. and only in 3 out of the 6 subjects before banana intake, this enantiomer was found in the two intervals 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 a.m. in all the subjects after banana intake. The presence of the S enantiomer in urine in 3 subjects before dried banana might be related to alcohol intake. The amount of R + S salsolinol eliminated in the 24h urine was found to represent 0.75% of the total dose administered. In conclusion a normal diet should have a negligible influence on urinary salsolinol concentrations, with, perhaps, the exception of alcohol; interestingly the R enantiomer might represent endogenous salsolinol.