Analysis of Tobacco-Specifc Nitrosamines in the Common Smokeless Tobacco Afzal in Oman
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2016, Vol 16, Issue 1
Abstract
Objectives: Tere is a lack of awareness regarding the carcinogenicity of Afzal, an illegal smokeless tobacco product (STP) widely used among the Omani youth. Previous research has shown that certain types of tobacco-specifc nitrosamines (TSNAs) are associated with oral and lung cancers. Tis study therefore aimed to assess levels of four common TSNAs in a randomly selected sample of Afzal. Methods: Tis study was carried out at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman, between April and September 2013. A random sample of Afzal was analysed for four types of TSNAs using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Te four types of TSNAs analysed were 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), N-nitrosoanatabine (NAT) and N-nitrosoanabasine (NAB). As a reference product, a sample of laboratory-manufactured American moist snuff (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA) was also used to confrm the accuracy and precision of the analysis. Results: Te analysis revealed total TSNA levels of 3.573 μg/g in the Afzal sample. Mean levels of NNN, NNK, NAT and NAB were 1.205, 1.015, 0.809 and 0.545 μg/g, respectively. Conclusion: Levels of the two most abundant TSNAs (NNN and NNK) found in the Afzal sample exceeded international regulatory limits. Afzal users therefore need to be educated regarding the potential health risks associated with their STP use. Stricter implementation of current legislation is recommended to reduce the availability and usage of Afzal in Oman.
Authors and Affiliations
Nawal Al-Mukhaini| Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Taher Ba-Omar| Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Elsadig A. Eltayeb| Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Aisha A. Al-Shehi| Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
Keywords
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