NITROSATABLE AMINES AND NITROSAMIDE FORMATION IN NATURAL STIMULANTS -COLA-ACUMINATA, C-NITIDA AND GARCINIA-COLA

Three varieties of kola nut, Cola acuminata, C. nitida and Garcinia co la, of Nigerian origin, were analysed for their content of primary and secondary amines, and assessed for their relative methylating potenti al due to nitrosamide formation. Primary and secondary amines were det ermined as benzene sulfonamides by gas chromatography/thermal energy a nalysis (GC/TEA). Dimethylamine, methylamine, ethylamine and isopentyl amine were detected in all kola nut varieties, while pyrrolidine, pipe ridine and isobutylamine were detected in one or more varieties. Estim ated average total daily intake of aliphatic amines by a typical kola nut chewer varied from 260 to 1040 mu g/day for secondary amines and f rom 2430 to 9710 mu g/day for primary amines. Methylating activity of the nitrosated kola nuts, expressed as N-nitroso-N-methylurea equivale nts, was also determined by GC/TEA. Methylating activity was significa ntly higher in kola nuts (170-490 mu g/kg) than has ever been reported for a fresh plant product. These data suggest that the possible role of kola nut chewing in human cancer aetioiogy should be explored in co untries where kola nuts are widely consumed as stimulants.