Synthesis of nitrosomethylisoamylamine from isoamylamine and sodium nitrite by fungi.

Nitrosomethylisoamylamine (NMIA), a carcinogenic N-nitroso compound was synthesized from isoamylamine (IAA) in a glucose-ammonium nitrate medium after several days' incubation with fungi and subsequent nitrosation with sodium nitrate. The nitrosamine was not produced by control reactions which lacked either IAA or fungi. The yield of NMIA varied with the length of incubation after inoculation with the fungi, and with the concentrations of IAA and NaNO2, the duration of nitrosation, the pH of the medium and the species of the fungi. The optimum conditions for the formation of the nitrosamine are reported.