Analysis of tobacco and smoke condensate for penicillic acid.

Gas chromatographic analyses of smoke condensate from commercial, unfiltered cigarettes spiked with penicillic acid (500 or 1,000 ppm), a reported carcinogenic substance from certain fungi, indicated approximately 3% of unchanged compound was transported in the smoke. Analysis of tobacco on which either Aspergillus ochraceus or Penicillium cyclopium was grown revealed microgram quantities of the compound. Small amounts of the material were also found in moldy tobacco from commercial storage. The results of these investigations suggest that fungi may be a source of carcinogenic compounds in tobacco and tobacco smoke.