The occurrence of N-nitrosocompounds [corrected] in zarda tobacco.

The levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA), N-nitrosodiethanolamine, volatile and non-volatile N-nitroso compounds in zarda, a partially fermented Indian tobacco product are presented. Total identified N-nitroso compound concentrations ranged from 1.6 to 240 mg/kg fresh weight tobacco, TSNA accounted for 76-91% of the total N-nitroso compound burden. Preformed N-nitrosoethylmethylamine as well as the non-volatile compounds N-nitrososarcosine, N-nitrosoazetidine-4-carboxylic acid and N-nitrosothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid were identified for the first time in tobacco products. The high levels of N-nitroso compounds present in zarda tobacco indicate that zarda chewing communities are exposed to a considerable exogenic burden of potentially carcinogenic compounds, in particular TSNA.