N-nitrosamines in grass silages
Van Broekhoven, L.W.; Davies, J.A.
Iarc Scientific Publications 1982(41): 319-326
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5038 PMID: 7141539 Document Number: 195144
Perennial ryegrass given 200 kg N/ha was cut 2 months after fertilizer application in June, wilted for 4 h and chopped. The chopped grass was mixed and squeezed tightly into 2-l glass preserving jars, hermetically sealed and stored in the dark at 30 deg C. During the first 10 days of ensilage the formation of nitrite was accompanied by the formation of volatile N-nitrosamines. NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine) and NDEA (N-nitrosodiethylamine) were found in concentrations of up to about 2 mu g/kg fresh matter. After stabilization of the silage these concentrations decreased to about 0.6 mu g/kg. Preliminary results are also given on the presence of non-volatile N-nitroso compounds.