Synthesis of methylisoamylnitrosamine from isoamylamine by fungi (Fusarium moniliforme).

Methylisoamylnitrosamine, a carcinogenic N-nitroso compound, has been formed in glucose ammonium nitrate medium containing 150 mg of isoamylamine (a primary amine) inoculated with a common fungus (Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon), to which 400 mg NaNO2 are added after incubation for 7-8 days at 28 degrees C. No such compound has been found in control samples without fungi or isoamylamine. This paper reports a method of experimental synthesis of the nitrosamine by F. moniliforme strains 82-01 and 83-01, using isoamylamine and NaNO2, as well as the analysis of the compound by GC/MS and GC/TEA.