Microbiology of the American Smokeless Tobacco.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Rivera AJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8190171 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:The major components of 70 brands of smokeless tobacco products (STPs) from Sweden and the US were determined to provide greater understanding of the general chemical composition of these products. Various styles of STPs were examined: loose and portion snus from Sweden, and chewing tobacco, dry snuff, moist snuff, hard pellet, soft pellet and plug from the US. The components analysed were major STP components such as water, nicotine, sugars, humectants, sodium ions, chloride ions and ash. The relative quantities of the components varied significantly between different styles of STP. The major component of moist snuff and Swedish loose snus is water. With Swedish portion snus water and pouch material comprise more than half of the product mass; with chewing tobaccos water and sugars comprise around 60% of the products. With these STPs, tobacco was a minor component (30-35%) of the product mass. By way of contrast, tobacco comprised the majority (around 70-90%) of the product mass with dry snuff, hard pellet and soft pellet products. Additives such as sugars, propylene glycol, glycerol, and sodium chloride comprised up to around 12% of the STPs, except for plug and chewing tobaccos where sugars comprised 15-30% by mass of the STP on average. Significant disagreements were found amongst alternative methods of determining water/moisture content for STPs. In particular the oven method, commonly used to determine moisture in tobacco, gave significantly higher values than the Karl Fischer water method when propylene glycol was present. Smaller but similar differences were found using the Near-Infrared method. Choice of measurement technique has important consequences for accuracy of toxicant levels when reporting on a dry-weight basis, a commonly used parameter in smokeless tobacco research and emerging regulatory standards. Conversion to a DWB was also found to produce a preferential bias between and within different STP categories in favour of drier products. These data provide greater understanding of differences in the compositions of contemporary smokeless tobacco products, and demonstrate challenges associated with conversion of actual product contents to dry weight basis values.
| S-EPMC6661804 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWe are interested in comparing the levels of harmful or potentially harmful constituents in Swedish and American smokeless tobacco products (STPs). We report here the concentrations of the IARC Group 2 A (probable human) carcinogen ethyl carbamate (EC) in seventy commercial STPs from the US and Sweden, representing 80-90% of the market share of the major STP categories in these countries. We also examine the effects of various additives, processing and storage conditions on EC concentrations in experimental snus samples.ResultsEC was determined from aqueous extracts of the STPs using ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS). EC was undetectable (< 20 ng/g wet weight basis WWB) in 60% of the commercial STPs, including all the chewing tobacco (CT), dry snuff (DS), hard pellet (HP), soft pellet (SP), and plug products. Measurable levels of EC were found in 11/16 (69%) of the moist snuff (MS) samples (average 154 ng/g in those samples containing EC) and 19/32 (59%) of the Swedish snus samples (average 35 ng/g). For the experimental snus samples, EC was only observed in ethanol treated samples. EC concentrations increased significantly with ethanol concentrations (0-4%) and with storage time (up to 24 weeks) and temperature (8 °C vs 20 °C). EC concentrations were lower at lower pHs but were unaffected by adding nitrogenous precursors identified from food studies (citrulline and urea), increasing water content or by pasteurisation. Added EC was stable in the STP matrix, but evaporative losses were significant when samples were stored for several weeks in open containers at 8 °C.ConclusionsEC was found in measurable amounts only in some moist STPs i.e. pasteurised Swedish snus and unpasteurised US MS; it is not a ubiquitous contaminant of STPs. The presence of ethanol contributed significantly to the presence of EC in experimental snus samples, more significantly at higher pH levels. Sample age also was a key determinant of EC content. In contrast, pasteurisation and fermentation do not appear to directly influence EC levels. Using published consumption rates and mouth level exposures, on average STP consumers are exposed to lower EC levels from STP use than from food consumption.
| S-EPMC6057859 | biostudies-literature
Project description:There are an estimated 8 million users of smokeless tobacco products (STPs) in the United States, and yet limited data on microbial populations within these products exist. To better understand the potential microbiological risks associated with STP use, a study was conducted to provide a baseline microbiological profile of STPs. A total of 90 samples, representing 15 common STPs, were purchased in metropolitan areas in Little Rock, AR, and Washington, DC, in November 2012, March 2013, and July 2013. Bacterial populations were evaluated using culture, pyrosequencing, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Moist-snuff products exhibited higher levels of bacteria (average of 1.05 × 106 CFU/g STP) and diversity of bacterial populations than snus (average of 8.33 × 101 CFU/g STP) and some chewing tobacco products (average of 2.54 × 105 CFU/g STP). The most common species identified by culturing were Bacillus pumilus, B. licheniformis, B. safensis, and B. subtilis, followed by members of the genera Oceanobacillus, Staphylococcus, and Tetragenococcus. Pyrosequencing analyses of the 16S rRNA genes identified the genera Tetragenococcus, Carnobacterium, Lactobacillus, Geobacillus, Bacillus, and Staphylococcus as the predominant taxa. Several species identified are of possible concern due to their potential to cause opportunistic infections and reported abilities to reduce nitrates to nitrites, which may be an important step in the formation of carcinogenic tobacco-specific N'-nitrosamines. This report provides a microbiological baseline to help fill knowledge gaps associated with microbiological risks of STPs and to inform potential regulations regarding manufacture and testing of STPs.ImportanceIt is estimated that there 8 million users of smokeless tobacco products (STPs) in the United States; however, there are limited data on microbial populations that exist within these products. The current study was undertaken to better understand the potential microbiological risks associated with STP use and provide a baseline microbiological profile of STPs. Several bacterial species were identified that are of possible concern due to their potential to cause opportunistic infections. In addition, some species have abilities to reduce nitrates to nitrites, which may be an important step in the formation of carcinogenic tobacco-specific N'-nitrosamines. Overall, this report provides a microbiological baseline to help fill knowledge gaps related to the microbiological risks of STPs and to inform potential regulations regarding the manufacture and testing of STPs.
| S-EPMC5068160 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7343624 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) have been of concern to the public health community for decades and their reduction through agricultural practices, plant breeding, and tobacco processing has also been a decades-long industry effort. Despite those efforts, TSNAs, though lower, continue to be constituents of concern in tobacco products. This paper examines the TSNA levels of dark air-cured, dark fire-cured, and burley tobaccos purchased in the United States by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC (USSTC) and of nine finished USSTC moist smokeless tobacco products. TSNA values of the incoming purchased tobaccos and the finished products showed considerable variability. For the incoming tobaccos, the coefficient of variation was generally more than 100 % for each tobacco type and for each of the measured TSNAs. The relative TSNA variability of the finished tobacco products was also considerable, averaging approximately 25 %. It was also found that the measured values for the finished products averaged well above the proposed FDA NNN proposed product standard of 1.0 ?g/g dry weight. Because of the large variability in NNN values, products would have to average well below FDA's proposed product standard to be consistently compliant.
| S-EPMC7317684 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionSmokeless tobacco products such as snuff and snus are used worldwide. However, little is known about the systemic and cardiovascular toxicity of smokeless tobacco exposure.MethodsBiomarkers of endothelial activation and injury, immune functions, platelet activation and insulin resistance were measured in 8-week old male C57BL/6 mice exposed to commercial snuff, CRP-2 reference snuff, commercial snus, CRP-1 reference snus, and nicotine in drinking water (100 µg/mL) for 4, 12, and 24 weeks.ResultsTwenty-four weeks of exposure to smokeless tobacco products or nicotine significantly decreased the levels of circulating Flk+/Sca+ endothelial progenitor cells. Twelve and 24 weeks of exposure to all the smokeless tobacco products and nicotine significantly decreased the levels of circulating CD19+ B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD11b+ monocytes, whereas 4 weeks of exposure to Camel snus and Copenhagen snuff significantly depleted the levels of peripheral blood CD19+ B cells and CD11b+ monocytes. Twenty-four weeks of exposure to smokeless tobacco products or nicotine significantly decreased plasma IFNγ levels. However, plasma TNFα levels were significantly increased in mice exposed to Copenhagen snuff or nicotine for 24 weeks. This was accompanied by a five to sevenfold increase in the hepatic expression of TNFα. Neither smokeless products nor nicotine affected plasma lipoproteins, platelet activation, or systemic insulin sensitivity.ConclusionsChronic exposure to snuff and snus suppresses circulating levels of EPCs, endothelial microparticles and immune cells, but increases plasma TNF-α levels. These effects of smokeless tobacco products are attributable, at least in part, to nicotine.ImplicationsExposure to smokeless tobacco products results in the depletion of endothelial progenitor cells, which may impair the endothelium repair. Suppression of the circulating levels of immune cells upon exposure to smokeless tobacco products may increase the susceptibility to secondary infection. Increased formation of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα by nicotine or Copenhagen snuff may lead to vascular inflammation and thereby exacerbate atherogenesis.
| S-EPMC6329408 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionA previous Minnesota SimSmoke tobacco control policy model is extended to more recent years and to include smokeless tobacco use.MethodsUsing data from the 1993 Tobacco Use Supplement and information on state policies, the Minnesota SimSmoke model was updated and extended to incorporate smokeless tobacco (both exclusive and dual use) and smokeless tobacco-attributable deaths. The model was then validated against the 2002, 2006/2007, and 2014/2015 Tobacco Use Supplement and the 1999, 2007, 2014, and 2018 Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey and used to estimate the impact of policies implemented between 1993 and 2018. Analysis was conducted in April 2019.ResultsThe model validated well for cigarette and earlier smokeless tobacco use, but it predicted smokeless tobacco use less well in recent years. The model projected that male (female) smoking prevalence was 35% (36%) lower in relative terms by 2018 and 43% (44%) lower by 2040 owing to policies, with lesser reductions projected for male smokeless tobacco use. Tobacco-attributable deaths were reduced by 7,800 by 2018 and 46,900 by 2040. Price increases, primarily through taxes, were projected to have had the greatest impact on cigarette use followed by smoke-free air laws, cessation treatment policies, tobacco control campaign expenditures, and youth access enforcement. Similar effects were projected for smokeless tobacco use, except that smoke-free air laws had smaller effects.ConclusionsAs cigarettes remain the dominant form of nicotine delivery product, cigarette-oriented policies may be an effective means of reducing the use of all nicotine delivery products. However, noncigarette-oriented policies may also play an important role.
| S-EPMC6756173 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Smokeless tobacco products (STP) contain bacteria, mold, and fungi due to exposure from surrounding environments and tobacco processing. This has been a cause for concern since the presence of microorganisms has been linked to the formation of highly carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines. These communities have also been reported to produce toxins and other pro-inflammatory molecules that can cause mouth lesions and elicit inflammatory responses in STP users. Moreover, microbial species in these products could transfer to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, potentially altering the established respective microbiotas of the consumer. Here, we present the first metagenomic analysis of select smokeless tobacco products, specifically US domestic moist and dry snuff. Bacterial, eukaryotic, and viral species were found in all tobacco products where 68% of the total species was comprised of Bacteria with 3 dominant phyla but also included 32% Eukarya and 1% share abundance for Archaea and Viruses. Furthermore, 693,318 genes were found to be present and included nitrate and nitrite reduction and transport enzymes, antibiotic resistance genes associated with resistance to vancomycin, β-lactamases, their derivatives, and other antibiotics, as well as genes encoding multi-drug transporters and efflux pumps. Additional analyses showed the presence of endo- and exotoxin genes in addition to other molecules associated with inflammatory responses. Our results present a novel aspect of the smokeless tobacco microbiome and provide a better understanding of these products' microbiology. KEY POINTS: • The findings presented will help understand microbial contributions to overall STP chemistries. • Gene function categorization reveals harmful constituents outside canonical forms. • Pathway genes for TSNA precursor activity may occur at early stages of production. • Bacteria in STPs carry antibiotic resistance genes and gene transfer mechanisms.
| S-EPMC7849185 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background: Betel nut (areca) is the world's fourth most commonly used addictive substance. Arecoline, a muscarinic agonist in areca, is also a partial agonist for the addiction-related high-affinity brain nicotine receptors. In many countries, smokeless tobacco is commonly mixed with areca. Objective: We sought to evaluate the knowledge of self-harm, and addiction associated betel quid use in an unban population. Methods: We conducted a survey study of 200 betel quid users in Yangon, Myanmar, and a survey of betel quid vendors to determine the relative amounts of areca and tobacco in the available quids. Results: The data determined that a large majority of the survey subjects (84%) used tobacco with their areca. Users had a general awareness that betel chewing was "a bad habit" (85%) and 80% were aware of the cancer risks. Understanding areca addiction remains a challenge since, aside from the strong muscarinic activity of arecoline stimulating salivation, overt neurologic effects are difficult for even the users to identify. Fifty eight percent of the respondents indicated that chewing betel quid had effects like drinking coffee, and 55.5% indicated that it had effects like drinking alcohol. Data obtained from the quid vendors indicated that 75% added tobacco in equal amounts to areca. Conclusion: The concomitant use of nicotine and areca indicates that betel quid addiction includes a significant component of nicotine dependence. However, the additional activities of areca, including the muscarinic effects of arecoline, indicate that potential cessation therapies should optimally address other factors as well.
| S-EPMC7774082 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundIt is believed that health risks associated with smokeless tobacco (ST) use are lower than those with cigarette smoking. A systematic review was therefore carried out to summarise these risks.MethodsSeveral electronic databases were searched, supplemented by screening reference lists, smoking related websites, and contacting experts. Analytical observational studies of ST use (cohorts, case-control, cross sectional studies) with a sample size of >/=500 were included if they reported on one or more of the following outcomes (all cause mortality, oral and pharyngeal cancers, other cancers, cardiovascular diseases, dental diseases, pregnancy outcomes, surgical outcomes). Data extraction covered control of confounding, selection of cases and controls, sample size, clear definitions and measurements of the health outcome, and ST use. Selection, extraction and quality assessments were carried out by one or two independent reviewers.ResultsA narrative review was carried out. Many of the studies lacked sufficient power to estimate precise risks, mainly due to the small number of ST users. Studies were often not designed to investigate ST use, and many also had major methodological limitations including poor control for cigarette smoking and imprecise measurements of exposure. Studies in India showed a substantial risk of oral or oropharyngeal cancers associated with chewing betel quid and tobacco. Studies from other regions and of other cancer types were not consistent. Few studies have adequately considered the non-cancer health effects of ST use.ConclusionsChewing betel quid and tobacco is associated with a substantial risk of oral cancers in India. Most recent studies from the US and Scandinavia are not statistically significant, but moderate positive associations cannot be ruled out due to lack of power. Further rigorous studies with adequate sample sizes are required, especially for cardiovascular disease.
| S-EPMC1746661 | biostudies-literature