Detection of N-nitrosamines in the saliva of habitual chewers of tobacco.

The saliva of habitual chewers of tobacco and of non- chewers was examined using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography-thermal energy analysis. N-Nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosopyrrolidine, N-nitrosonornicotine and N- nitrosohydroxyproline were detected in the saliva from the tobacco chewers . These N-nitroso compounds are probably leached from the tobacco itself and/or are formed in situ by the nitrosation of tobacco alkaloids as well as that of secondary amines. No N-nitroso compounds were detected in the saliva of non- chewers .