Tobacco Asia

52 tobaccoasia Issue 5, 2023 September / October The temperature challenge Then there was the challenge of finding nicotine salt forms that are easily "vaporizable," releasing freebase nicotine at the lower temperature ranges typical for vaping devices. The answer once again was found in already existing tobacco research literature. Specific salt compounds formed from nicotine and certain organic acids – such as nico- tine benzoate, nicotine levulinate, and nicotine salicylate – indeed vaporize at those required lower temperatures. "And since nicotine salts do have lower pH levels than freebase nicotine, using them in e-liquids results in a smoother throat hit," elaborated Balconi. Lastly, the improved nicotine absorption effectively means that a lower nicotine concentration in an e-liquid still provides the fa- miliar satisfactory nicotine rush that heavy smok- ers require. It all comes together now, doesn't it? A salt for every need When we're talking "nicotine salts", it is in plu- ral. The reason for that is, of course, that freebase nicotine can form chemical compounds – i.e. be- coming a salt – with various substances. In other words, there is no one single nicotine salt, but there are many. For modern e-liquid manufactur- ing, five main nicotine salts have firmly established themselves, though. The differing benefits of these main nicotine salts are not yet fully defined and perceptions vary in consumer testing, but more re- search is in progress. Yet when drawing on already available data and consumer feedback, these five main nicotine salts indicate quite similar and only very subtle differences in the vaping experience. Alchem is supplying all of these salts under its Nic- Select brand. Let's take a quick look at them in turn: Nicotine Levulinate (as "NicSelect Velvet Salt") Nicotine levulinate desensitizes the upper respira- tory tract and enhances the binding of nicotine to neurons that ordinarily would be unresponsive to nicotine. Having a low pH, in this case a value of 4.4 ±0.5, it is well balanced in terms of smooth- ness and nicotine rush whilst having a minimal throat hit compared to other salts. Nicotine Benzoate (as "NicSelect Smooth Salt") In Alchem-conducted test panels, nicotine benzo- ate has been found to reduce, mask or neutralize the inherent taste of nicotine and causes less throat irritation. Its pH is slightly in the acidic range, around 6.2 ±0.5. Nicotine benzoate was one of the first nicotine salts to hit the mass market, help- ing create nicotine salts' reputation for offering a very smooth vaping experience while providing a rapid and noticeable nicotine rush. However, Tom Xie of the SMOORE Research Center pointed out that while nicotine benzoate previously was "the nicotine salt most commonly used in e-liquids," some European countries have "voluntarily" banned it in the meantime. "A number of vape brands have therefore started using non-benzoate e-liquids and in my opinion it is foreseeable that non-benzoates will become the mainstream trend in the future," Xie said. Nicotine Ditartrate (as "NicSelect Rush Salt") Having a rather low pH of 3.2 ±0.5 and a good ab- sorption rate, nicotine ditartrate is neutral in taste, making it a popular choice for formulation with all types of carrier liquids and flavor combinations. It is commercialized extensively in smoking cessa- tion products globally and is reported to provide the most rapid uptake and most notable nicotine rush. Nicotine Salicylate (as "NicSelect Chill Salt") Regarded as one of the "more natural" acid salts because it is commonly also found in low concen- trations in certain fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, nuts, and teas, nicotine salicylate provides the smoothest vaping experience of all nicotine salts Nicotine concentrate being poured into a beaker. Credit: Alchem Europe SA "When a nicotine salt is used in an e-liquid instead of freebase nicotine, it will greatly improve the vaping experience." Anna Balconi - Alchem Europe

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