Analysis of tobacco-specific nitrosamines in Moldovan cigarette tobacco

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) are among the most important and abundant strongly carcinogenic agents in unburned tobacco. It has been established that 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) induces lung tumors in rodents independent of the route of administration. N′-Nitrosonornicotine (NNN) causes tumors of the esophagus and nasal cavity in rats, lung in mice, and respiratory tract in hamsters. Although the manufacturing of cigarettes is an important domain of Moldovan industry, there are no reports in the literature on TSNA analysis in Moldovan tobacco. The main purpose of the present study was an initial evaluation of TSNA levels in Moldovan cigarette tobacco. Eighteen brands of Moldovan cigarettes, representing 78% of all brands produced in Moldova, were analyzed. Four TSNA-NNN, NNK, N′-nitrosoanatabine (NAT), and N′-nitrosoanabasine (NAB) - were analyzed by gas chromatography with nitrosamine selective detection (GC-TEA). Levels of TSNA in most Moldovan cigarettes were substantially lower than in American brands. Mean levels of NNN in three commercial American brands were 3.32 ± 0.88 (SD) μg/g as compared to 0.579 ± 0.548 μg/g, range 0.093-2.09 μg/g. (N = 18), in the cigarettes produced in Moldova. For NNK and NAT, mean levels in the American brands were 1.57 ± 0.178 and 1.99 ± 0.579 μg/g, respectively, while the corresponding values for Moldovan cigarettes were 0.193 ± 0.089, range 0.104-0.484 μg/g, and 0.160 ± 0.114 μg/g, range 0.055-0.481 μg/g. The highest levels of NNN-1.10-2.09 μg/g - were observed in "American type" cigarettes manufactured from high-quality tobacco. The results of this study should be useful in heightening the awareness of the dangers of smoking in Moldova and can be envisioned as the initial step in the control of tobacco-related cancer in this republic.