Comparative analysis of cyanide content of some tobacco products in Nigeria

Abstract

The cyanide levels of the commercial cigarettes were as follows: BH = 0.40 ±0.02, LB = 0.32 ± 0.02, RM = 0.38 ± 0.02 and SM = 0.35 ± 0.03 μmol/g. On the other hand, the moist stuff brand of tobacco gave the following cyanide concentrations: MSI = 0.42 ± 0.02, MS2 = 0.44 ± 0.10, MS3 = 0.47 ± 0.02 μmol/g. Cyanide values for the dry snuff brands were as follows: DSI = 0.42 ± 0.02, DS2 = 0.40 ± 0.01 and DS3= 0.45 ± 0.01 μmol/g. On the other hand, a mean (±SD) cyanide value of 0.40 ± 0.02 μmol/g was obtained for fresh tobacco leaves (FS). When the cyanide content of the control was compared with each preparation, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) between the control and all the samples. Also significant differences were observed at P<0.05 between MSI and other moist snuffs and also between DSI and other brands of dry snuff.

Keywords: cyanide, tobacco, cigarettes, snuff, piotassiumsesquicarbonate.

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 11(4) 2005: 487-490