Table of Contents
How is nitrosamine formed?
Nitrosamines are formed by reaction of secondary or tertiary amines with a nitrosating agent. In foods, the nitrosating agent is usually nitrous anhydride, formed from nitrite in acidic, aqueous solution. Food constituents and the physical make-up of the food can effect nitrosamine formation.
Can primary amines form nitrosamines?
Primary, secondary and tertiary amines can all be nitrosated to generate nitrosamines. The secondary amines in general are the most reactive compounds towards nitrosating agents, generating nitrosamines. Primary alkyl amines react with nitrosating agents to give short-lived, highly reactive diazonium ions.
What are nitrosating agents?
Nitrosating agents (NAs) stimulate the formation of powerful mutagenic and carcinogenic N-nitrosamines. In light of the established structure–reactivity relationship of NAs, ONNC was found to be a potential powerful nitrosating species.
What is Nitrosation reaction?
N-Nitrosation is a reaction of amines with nitrite to form nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are hazardous because they are carcinogenic. (28-30) The N-nitrosation reaction proceeds with the same mechanism as denitrification of ammonium nitrite, which is already confirmed to be accelerated by freezing.
What is nitrosamine mix?
Nitrosamines are formed by a reaction between nitrates or nitrites and certain amines. Under acidic pH in the mouth or stomach, nitrite or nitrates added to food or naturally occurring may combine with amines to form nitrosamines.
What is a nitrosamine impurity?
Nitrosamines are a family of carcinogens impurities which are formed by the reaction of secondary amines, amides, carbamates, derivatives of urea with nitrite or other nitrogenous agents with the nitrogen in the +3 state.
How do you make nitrosamine?
Nitrosamines are produced by the reaction of nitrites and secondary amines. Nitrites are used as food preservatives, e.g. cured meats. Secondary amines arise by the degradation of proteins (food). Nitrite and nitrosamine intake are associated with risk of gastric cancer and oesophageal cancer.
How do nitrates form nitrosamines?
They are formed by the reaction of nitrite with secondary amines. It should be noted that nitrates may also form N-nitrosamines through reduction to nitrites by saliva or enzymes in the intestinal tract. Many N-nitrosamines are strongly carcinogenic. They contaminate several foods, beverages, and water, at low levels.
What is nitrosamines found in?
N-nitrosamines have been found in air, water, foods, cosmetics, tobacco, and packing materials (1). N-nitrosamines have been an issue due to nitrite which was added to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum in processed meats.
How do you prevent nitrosamines?
If you drink well water, your local health department can help you find out if this is a problem in your area. You can also have your water tested by a laboratory. Eat a diet high in antioxidants. Vitamin C and certain other vitamins can reduce the conversion of nitrates and nitrites to nitrosamines.
Which type of reaction is ring nitrosation?
Electrophilic aromatic nitrosation is the most direct method for the synthesis of aromatic nitroso compounds. This reaction is restricted to electron-rich arenes and is usually slower and much more regioselective than the related and more common aromatic nitration.