Volatile N-Nitrosamines

The functions of nitrite and the formation of volatile N-nitrosamines in food systems and their toxicity have been well... 

Decomposition studies confirmed that N-nitrosamides are much less stable than volatile N-nitrosamines such as NPYR and NDMA (79). Thermal studies utilizing heating conditions commonly encountered in the cooking of bacon and pork roasts indicated that N nitrosomethylpropionamide (NOMP) was degraded to the extent of 74-97% compared to 3-14% for NPYR and NDMA (Table V). It was tentatively concluded that the major... 

The complex pattern of human exposure to environmental N-nitroso compounds is summarized. Recent results are given in three areas, where a significant reduction of human exposure has been achieved after elucidation of its causes 1, N-Nitrosodimethylamine in beer. 2, Volatile N-nitrosamines in baby nipples and pacifiers and 3. occupational exposure in the rubber industry. 

In the last fifteen years there has been considerable interest in the analysis of volatile N-nitrosamines in foods. The primary focus has been on meat cured with nitrite (3 ) although nitrosamines have been shown to occur occasionally in other foods such as fish and cheese (, 3) Recently, attention has been directed to volatile nitrosamines in beer and other alcoholic beverages. The purpose of this paper is to review current information on the presence of nitrosamines in beer, and to discuss work done in our laboratory and elsewhere on the mode of formation of nitrosamines in beer. 

Various NOC can be found in food processing operations. The most commonly known contributors to dietary volatile and non-volatile N-nitrosamines are nitrite cured meats, particularly fried bacon and beer. Several reviews cover the occurrence and formation of... 

Brunnemann, K. D., Adams, J. and Hofj nann, D., "Non-volatile N-Nitrosamines Analysis in Tobacco and Tobacco Smoke by HPLC-TEA", Abs. 31st Tobacco Chemists Research Conference, Greensboro, N.C., 1977. 

Figure 1. Volatilized N-nitrosamines found in this tire plant and typical vulcaniza-...

Cox, G.B., Estimation of volatile N-nitrosamines by high-performance liquid chromatography, J. Chromatogr., 83, 471, 1973. 

Gray, J.I. Stachiw, M.A. Gas chromatographic-thermal energy analysis method for determination of volatile N-nitrosamines in baby bottle rubber nipples collaborative study. J. AOAC 1987, 70 (1), 64-68. 

Billedeau SM, Thonpson HC Jr, Miller BJ, et al. 1986. Volatile N-nitrosamines in infant pacifiers sold in the United States as determined by gas chromatography/thermal energy analysis. J Assoc Off Anal Chem 69 31-... 

Canas BJ, Havery DC, Joe FL Jr, et al. 1986. Current trends in levels of volatile N-nitrosamines in fried bacon and fried-out bacon fat. J Assoc Off Anal Chem 69 1020-1021. 

Chamberlain WJ, Arrendale RF. 1982. Rapid method for the analysis of volatile N-nitrosamines in cigarette smoke by glass capillary chromatography. J Chromatog 234 478-481. 

Fazio T, Havery DC. 1982. Volatile N-nitrosamines in direct flame-dried processed foods. In lARC Sci Publ 41 277-286. 

Gaff EU, Fine DH. 1979. Analysis of volatile N-nitrosamines in alcoholic beverages. Fd Cosmet Toxicol 17 569-573. 

Havery DC, Perpetti GA, Canas BJ, et al. 1985. Reduction in levels of, volatile N-nitrosamines in rubber nipples for babies bottles. Fd Chem Toxicol 23 991-993. 

Klein RG, Schmezer P. 1984. Quantitative measurement of the exhalation rate of volatile N-nitrosamines in inhalation experiments with anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. IARC Sci Publ 57 513-517. 

Lakritz L, Pensabene JW. 1984. Survey of human milk for volatile N-nitrosamines and the influence of diet on their formation. Fd Chem Toxicol 22 721-724. 

Pylypiw HM Jr. 1987. The development and application of analytical methods for the study of volatile and non-volatile N-nitrosamines (Pharmacokinetics). Disser Abstr Inter 48 1028-B. 

Pylypiw HM Jr., Zimmerman F, Harrington GW, et al. 1985. Apparatus for trace determination of volatile N-nitrosamines in small sanples. Anal Chem 57 2996-2997. 

Sen NP, Seaman S. 1981b. Possible presence of volatile N-nitrosamines in cooking oils, margarine and butter. J Agric Food Chem 29 787-789. 

Telling GM. 1972. A gas-liquid chromatographic procedure for the detection of volatile N-nitrosamines at the ten parts per billion level in foodstuffs after conversion to their corresponding nitramines. J Chromatog 73 79-87. Terao K, Aikawa T, Kera K. 1978. A synergistic effect of... 

Nitrosamines are carcinogenic substances that may form in foods preserved with high levels of sodium nitrite. The AOAC have approved two methods for analysis of nitrosamines in fried bacon, one for volatile N-nitrosamines by mineral oil vacuum distillation and extraction into dichloromethane, and the other for N-nitrosopyrrolidine by extraction... 

Supercritical fluid extraction (SEE) using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) has been successfully used for isolation of volatile nitrosamines from different matrices such as tobacco and food products. This technique presents several advantages with respect to other extraction methods (e.g., mineral oil distillation or low-temperature vacuum distillation) currently used. Thus, SEE minimizes sample handling, provides fairly clean extracts, expedites sample preparation, and reduces the use of environmentally toxic solvents. Good results have also been obtained with the use of SPE in the analysis of food matrices combining extraction with Extrelut sorbent and purification with Florisil. This method is applicable for the analysis of a range of the most widely encountered volatile N-nitrosamines, including the poorly volatile NDBA, NDBzA, and N-nitroso-N-methylaniline in various food products. Active carbon is suitable for this preconcentration step due its low cost, versatility, and easy application. 

N-nitrosamines generated at low levels from secondary amines liberated from some of the accelerators can cause health concerns and have been subject to regulation. Volatile N-nitrosamines are quantified using GC with a thermal energy analyzer. 

Spiegelhalder, B., Eisenbrand, G., Preussmann, R. (1979). Analysis of volatile N-nitrosamine in alcoholic beverages. Food Cosmetics Toxicology, 17, 29-31. 

Abbreviations NA, N-nitrosamines VNA volatile N-nitrosamines NVNA, nonvolatile N-nitrosamines NDMA, N-nitrosodimethylamine ... 

Havery, D. C., and Fazio, T., 1982, Estimation of volatile N-nitrosamines in baby bottle rubber nipples. Food Chem. Toxicol, ... 

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