Saliva-available carbonyl compounds in some chewing tobaccos

Carbonyl compounds leached from three types of commercial chewing tobaccos were quantitated by derivatization with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride, hexane extraction of the O-oxime derivatives, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry relative to authentic standards. The major carbonyl compounds were 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (predominant), glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and acetaldehyde, all being mutagens. Other mutagenic compounds or carcinogens detected included formaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, and furfural. These carbonyl compounds did not significantly contribute to the Microtox acute toxicity of the chewing tobacco leachates