Levels of mint and wintergreen flavorants: smokeless tobacco products vs. confectionery products.
Nicotine and flavorant compound levels were measured in 10 "mint"-related sub-brands and 8 "wintergreen" sub-brands of smokeless tobacco (SLT). Also analyzed were "mint"-related and "wintergreen" confectionery products. Of the "mint" SLT, "Timberwolf Packs Mint Pouches" contained the highest menthol level (5.3 mg/g); the average for the five most-highly mentholated SLT products was 4.3 mg/g. The average for the most five most-highly mentholated confectionery products was 3.5 mg/g. For hard candy, a reported average of maximum use levels is 2.1 mg/g (Burdock, 2009). Of the "wintergreen" SLT, "Hawken Wintergreen" was found to contain the highest methyl salicylate (MS) level (29.7 mg/g). The average of the five highest SLT MS levels was 23.8 mg/g, i.e., 5x higher than the level found in the confectionery product with the highest MS level (LifeSavers Wint O Green Sugar Free, 4.6 mg/g). For hard candy, a reported average of maximum use levels is 2.0 mg/g (Burdock, 2009). Assuming 23.8 mg/g MS in SLT, SLT use at 15 g/day, 100% bodily absorption of the MS, and 60 kg body weight, the average daily intake would be 6.0 mg/kg-day, i.e., 12x the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.5 mg/kg-day established for this compound by a joint FAO/WHO committee.
Chen
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Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207, USA.
Isabelle
L M
LM
Pickworth
W B
WB
Pankow
J F
JF
D002182:Candy; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D027541:Mentha / Q000737:chemistry*; D008610:Menthol / Q000032:analysis; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000032:analysis*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis*; D012459:Salicylates / Q000032:analysis; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000737:chemistry*
D005421:Flavoring Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012459:Salicylates; D008610:Menthol; C041835:ethyl salicylate; C515973:wintergreen oil; D009538:Nicotine; C033069:methyl salicylate