A new N-nitroso compound, N-3-methylbutyl-N-1-methylacetonylnitrosamine, in corn-bread inoculated with fungi.

A new N--nitroso compound, N--1--methylacetonyl--N--3--methylbutylnitrosamine (MAMBNA) is found in corn-bread inoculated with the common fungi, such as Fusarium moniliforme, Geotrichun candidum, Aspergillus terreus or A. flavipes, encountered in food of Lin Xian County, Henan Province. The preliminary identification of this compound with TLC has been confirmed by GC-MS analysis. Furthermore, we have synthesized the MAMBNA and the chemical analysis shows that it is identical with the MAMBNA isolated from the corn-bread extract. In addition to the MAMBNA, dimethylnitrosamine, diethylnitrosamine and methylbenzylnitrosamine are formed also in the fungus-inoculated corn-bread after 8-day incubation and an addition of a small amount of sodium nitrite. The presence of precursor compounds for the formation of nitrosamine in the mouldy maize flour and their significance in respect to the etiology of esophageal cancer in high-risk areas have been discussed.