Nitrate and Nitrite Promote Formation of Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines via Nitrogen Oxides Intermediates during Postcured Storage under Warm Temperature

Figure 2

The activated nitrosating agents participate in nitrosation of alkaloid to form TSNAs during different processes of air-cured tobacco production. Nitrate () is available for reduction to nitrite () via microbial activity, and the nitrite, in turn, becomes involved in nitrosation reactions with the alkaloids during air-curing, leading to the formation of TSNAs. The nitrite is the most important nitrosating agent during air-curing. TSNAs formation was almost not influenced by microorganism during the storage processes.