The thermal decomposition of some tobacco constituents

Abstract

A number of the major constituents of cured tobacco has been subjected to thermal decomposition at 650°C. in the absence of air. In the neutral fraction of the decomposition products polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been detected and determined by the methods already developed for the analysis of tobacco smoke. The quantities are much greater than are found in the smoke from equivalent quantities of tobacco. It is concluded that thermal decomposition is in large measure responsible for the presence of these compounds in tobacco smoke and that, since they originate from major constituents of the tobacco, they are likely to be present in all smoke whatever pre-treatment is given to the tobacco. The authors acknowledge the provision of chemicals by Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd. and gifts of specimens of lignin from Dr. F. Y. Henderson of the Forest Products Research Laboratory, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and pectin from Dr. H. G. Harvey of the Food Manufacturers Research Association. They also thank the Medical Research Council for supporting the investigation and Professor Sir Ernest Kennaway, for his interest and helpful criticism. © 1957, The British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research. All rights reserved.