Studies on jurak smoke : i. the organic constituents of jurak smoke

Abstract EN

Jurak smoke condensate was analyzed for its major components by gas chr'omatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Eighty-eight compounds were detected in the smoke condensate, including alkenes; al-kynes; alkaloids and other bases; alcohols; aldehydes and ketones.

The polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, the major carcinogenic agents in cigarette smoke, were not detected in jurak smoke condensate.

The GC/MS analysis of the portion of jurak smoke trapped by the water in the shisha reservoir revealed additional 54 compounds beside those detected in jurak smoke condensate.

Water filtration in the shisha reservoir is more effective with alkaloids and other bases, phenols and phenolic ethers, esters and alcohols.

The absence of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in jurak smoke, and the retention of most phenolic compounds from the inhaled smoke by water filtration may explain the reported low incidence of tumours of upper respiratory tract among jurak smokers compared to cigarette smokers.