Detection and Quantitative Determination of Alkylnaphthalenes in Latakia Tobacco/ Nachweis und quantitative Bestimmung von Alkylnaphthalinen in Latakia-Tabak

Naphthalene and alkylnaphthalene were detected qualitatively and quantitatively for the first time in Latakia tobacco. 62 different alkylnaphthalenes were determined by means of GC-MS analysis, 22 of which were exactly allocated structurally by comparing the Kovats retention indices. Besides naphthalene, the following substances were also identified: 1-methylnaphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, 1-ethylnaphthalene, 2-ethylnaphthalene, 1-propylnaphthalene, 2-propylnaphthalene, all ten theoretically possible isomers of dimethylnaphthalene, four trimethylnaphthalenes, isobutylnaphthalene and five ethylmethylnaphthalenes. The concentration of the naphthalenes detected in Latakia tobacco is in the region of 1 ppm to 10 ppm, with the focus on 1 ppm to 3 ppm. Alkylnaphthalenes make an important contribution to the aroma of the Latakia tobacco. They clearly modify the burnt aroma of the Latakia phenols to mild, dusty, with earthy undertone.