Levels of mint and wintergreen flavorants: smokeless tobacco products vs. confectionery products. 2010

C Chen, and L M Isabelle, and W B Pickworth, and J F Pankow
Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207, USA.

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.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008610 Menthol A monoterpene cyclohexanol produced from mint oils. Cyclohexanol, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-,Menthol, (1alpha,2beta,5alpha)-Isomer
D009538 Nicotine Nicotine is highly toxic alkaloid. It is the prototypical agonist at nicotinic cholinergic receptors where it dramatically stimulates neurons and ultimately blocks synaptic transmission. Nicotine is also important medically because of its presence in tobacco smoke. Nicotine Bitartrate,Nicotine Tartrate
D009822 Oils, Volatile Oils which evaporate readily. The volatile oils occur in aromatic plants, to which they give odor and other characteristics. Most volatile oils consist of a mixture of two or more TERPENES or of a mixture of an eleoptene (the more volatile constituent of a volatile oil) with a stearopten (the more solid constituent). The synonym essential oils refers to the essence of a plant, as its perfume or scent, and not to its indispensability. Essential Oil,Oil, Essential,Oil, Volatile,Oils, Essential,Volatile Oil,Essential Oils,Volatile Oils
D010936 Plant Extracts Concentrated pharmaceutical preparations of plants obtained by removing active constituents with a suitable solvent, which is evaporated away, and adjusting the residue to a prescribed standard. Herbal Medicines,Plant Extract,Extract, Plant,Extracts, Plant,Medicines, Herbal
D002182 Candy Sweet food products combining cane or beet sugars with other carbohydrates and chocolate, milk, eggs, and various flavorings. In the United States, candy refers to both sugar- and cocoa-based confections and is differentiated from sweetened baked goods; elsewhere the terms sugar confectionary, chocolate confectionary, and flour confectionary (meaning goods such as cakes and pastries) are used. Confection,Caramel Candy,Candies,Candies, Caramel,Candy, Caramel,Caramel Candies,Confections
D005421 Flavoring Agents Substances added to foods and medicine to improve the taste. Flavor Additives,Flavor Enhancers,Additive, Flavor,Additives, Flavor,Agent, Flavoring,Agents, Flavoring,Enhancer, Flavor,Enhancers, Flavor,Flavor Additive,Flavor Enhancer,Flavoring Agent
D012459 Salicylates The salts or esters of salicylic acids, or salicylate esters of an organic acid. Some of these have analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. Salicylate,Salicylic Acids,Acids, Salicylic
D014030 Tobacco, Smokeless Any product of NICOTIANA TABACUM that is not smoked but is either inhaled through the nose, chewed, or stored in cheek pouches. Chewing Tobacco,Oral Tobacco,Smokeless Tobacco,Snuff,Dipping Tobacco,Gutka,Gutka Tobacco,Mint Snuff,Snus,Chewing Tobaccos,Dipping Tobaccos,Gutka Tobaccos,Gutkas,Snuff, Mint,Tobacco, Chewing,Tobacco, Dipping,Tobacco, Gutka,Tobacco, Oral,Tobaccos, Chewing,Tobaccos, Dipping,Tobaccos, Gutka,Tobaccos, Smokeless
D027541 Mentha Mentha is a genus of the mint family (LAMIACEAE). It is known for species having characteristic flavor and aroma. Mint,Menthas,Mints

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