Effect of N-nitrosothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid on formation of N-nitrosothiazolidine in uncooked bacon.

N-Nitrosothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (NTHZC) was recently identified in a variety of smoked fish and cured meat products. While the toxicological properties of NTHZC are currently unknown, it has been speculated that N-nitrosothiazolidine (NTHZ) in fried bacon may be caused in part by decarboxylation of NTHZC. A limited survey of uncooked cured meat products failed to demonstrate any correlation between levels of NTHZC and NTHZ. However, NTHZC levels were significantly higher, ranging from 8 to 1400 ppb, than the corresponding NTHZ levels, which ranged from less than 2 to 18 ppb. Decarboxylation of NTHZC to NTHZ in a model system occurs at 110 degrees C, which is significantly higher than the average bacon processing temperature of 54 degrees C, but lower than the normal frying temperature of 177 degrees C recommended for bacon. Results from both model system and frying experiments with NTHZC and its precursors suggest that NTHZC decarboxylation to NTHZ is not the principal pathway to NTHZ formation in uncooked bacon.