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Mastenbrook J, Pathak E, Beaver C, Stull F, Koestler BJ. Breaking the habit: isolating nicotine-degrading bacteria in undergraduate microbiology teaching labs. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION 2024:e0015223. [PMID: 38602406 DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.00152-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Nicotine is a major alkaloid in tobacco plants and an addictive component of tobacco products. Some bacteria grow on tobacco plants and have evolved the ability to metabolize nicotine. As part of our microbiology teaching lab, we used minimal media with nicotine as the sole carbon source to isolate nicotine-degrading bacteria from tobacco leaves and commercial tobacco products. Students then identified these bacteria using 16S rRNA sequencing and biochemical assays and assessed their ability to catabolize nicotine using UV spectroscopy. Students were able to isolate and identify 14 distinct genera that can metabolize nicotine. This modification of the commonly used unknown project gave students firsthand experience using selective media, and students got the opportunity to work with largely uncharacterized microbes with a real-world connection to public health, which increased student engagement. Students had the opportunity to think critically about why nicotine-degrading microorganisms associate with tobacco plants, why there are different bacteria that use the same specialized metabolism, and how these organisms are isolated from other bacteria using selective media.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mastenbrook
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
| | - E Pathak
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
| | - C Beaver
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
| | - F Stull
- Department of Chemistry, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
| | - B J Koestler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
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Yockey RA, Barnett TE. Past-Year Blunt Smoking among Youth: Differences by LGBT and Non-LGBT Identity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5304. [PMID: 37047919 PMCID: PMC10094410 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Blunt use (co-use of tobacco and marijuana) is a growing phenomenon among youth and disproportionately affects minority populations. LGBT+ populations are significantly more likely to use marijuana and tobacco, but this relationship has yet to be examined among LGBT+ adolescents. This analysis aimed to investigate past-year blunt use among a national sample of youth and delineate the differences between non-LGBT and LGBT+ youth. We used Wave 2 of the Population and Tobacco Health (PATH) study. We analyzed data from 7518 youth, comparing past-year blunt use between LGBT+ and non-LGBT youth, controlling for biological sex, race, and age using weighted logistic regression models. Greater than 1 in 10 youth (10.6%) reported using blunts in the past year. More than one in five (21.6%) LGBT+ youth reported using blunts in the past year. There were no significant differences between boys and girls. Older youth (17 years old) were more likely to use blunts in the past year (aPR: 3.04, 95% CI 2.48, 3.79) than younger youth. Compared with non-LGBT youth, LGBT+ youth were 2.17 times (95% CI 1.86, 2.54) more likely to report using blunts in the past year. Blunt use and its respective impact on health outcomes among developing youth are of concern to public health. These findings demonstrate that certain subgroups of youth are more at risk for use and emphasize the need for tailored interventions to mitigate initiation and current use, given that one of the goals of the Healthy People 2030 initiative is to "Improve the health, safety, and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals".
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Chattopadhyay S, Ramachandran P, Malayil L, Mongodin EF, Sapkota AR. Conventional tobacco products harbor unique and heterogenous microbiomes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:115205. [PMID: 36592812 PMCID: PMC9898174 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
While an increasing number of studies have evaluated tobacco microbiomes, comparative microbiome analyses across diverse tobacco products are non-existent. Moreover, to our knowledge, no previous studies have characterized the metabolically-active (live) fraction of tobacco bacterial communities and compared them across products. To address these knowledge gaps, we compared bacterial communities across four commercial products (cigarettes, little cigars, cigarillos and hookah) and one research cigarette product. After total DNA extraction (n = 414) from all samples, the V3V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq platform. To identify metabolically-active bacterial communities within these products, we applied a coupled 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling and sequencing approach to a subset of samples (n = 56). Each tobacco product was characterized by its signature microbiome, along with a shared microbiome across all tobacco products consisting of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. putida, P. alcaligenes, Bacillus subtilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Comparing across products (using Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe)), a significantly higher (p < 0.05) relative abundance of Klebsiella and Acinetobacter was observed in commercial cigarettes, while a higher relative abundance of Pseudomonas and Pantoea was observed in research cigarettes. Methylorubrum and Paenibacillus were higher in hookah, and Brevibacillus, Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, and Staphylococcus were higher in little cigars and cigarillos. Across all products, the majority of the metabolically-active bacterial communities belonged to the genus Pseudomonas, followed by several genera within the Firmicutes phylum (Bacillus, Terribacillus, and Oceanobacillus). Identification of some metabolically-active pathogens such as Bacillus cereus and Haemophilus parainfluenzae in commercial products is of concern because of the potential for these microorganisms to be transferred to users' respiratory tracts via mainstream smoke. Future work is warranted to evaluate the potential impact of these tobacco bacterial communities on users' oral and lung microbiomes, which play such an important role on the spectrum from health to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhana Chattopadhyay
- Maryland Institute of Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Padmini Ramachandran
- Food and Drug Administration, Office of Regulatory Science, Division of Microbiology, HFS-712, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Leena Malayil
- Maryland Institute of Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Emmanuel F Mongodin
- Institute for Genome Sciences and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy R Sapkota
- Maryland Institute of Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
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Malayil L, Chattopadhyay S, Bui A, Panse M, Cagle R, Mongodin EF, Sapkota AR. Viable bacteria abundant in cigarettes are aerosolized in mainstream smoke. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113462. [PMID: 35580667 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Multiple studies have demonstrated that cigarettes harbor bacterial pathogens. Yet, to our knowledge, there are no published data to date on whether or not these microorganisms can be aerosolized and transmitted to the respiratory tract of users. To address this knowledge gap, we characterized cigarette bacterial communities and evaluated whether or not they could be aerosolized in mainstream smoke. Filtered and unfiltered cigarettes were tested. Non-smoked tobacco leaf, enriched non-smoked tobacco leaf extract and enriched mainstream smoke extract samples (n = 144) were incubated on trypticase soy agar, and resulting bacterial colonies were sequenced. Total DNA was also extracted, followed by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, sequencing and analysis using UCHIME, QIIME and R packages. The predominant bacterial genera cultured from the mainstream smoke of unfiltered cigarettes were Bacillus, Terribacillus, Paenibacillus and Desulfotomaculum. Culturable bacteria were not recovered from the smoke of filtered products. However, sequencing data demonstrated no significant differences in bacterial community diversity in the smoke of filtered versus unfiltered cigarettes, suggesting that other non-culturable bacteria may be aerosolized in mainstream smoke as well. Our study provides novel evidence that tobacco-associated bacterial communities are viable, can be aerosolized in mainstream smoke, and could potentially be transferred to the oral cavity and respiratory tract of smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Malayil
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Suhana Chattopadhyay
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Anthony Bui
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Mansi Panse
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Robin Cagle
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Emmanuel F Mongodin
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy R Sapkota
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA.
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Bacterial communities of hookah tobacco products are diverse and differ across brands and flavors. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5785-5795. [PMID: 35927334 PMCID: PMC9361917 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12079-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Young adults are increasingly using non-cigarette products, such as hookahs, since they are perceived as healthier alternatives to cigarette smoking. However, hookah users are exposed to not only carcinogenic compounds but also microorganisms that may play an active role in the development of both infectious and chronic diseases among users. Nevertheless, existing hookah research in this area has focused only on microorganisms that may be transferred to users through the smoking apparatus and not on bacterial communities associated with hookah tobacco. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted time-series experiments on commercially available hookah brands (Al Fakher (flavors: two apple, mint, and watermelon) and Fumari (flavors: white gummy bear, ambrosia, and mint chocolate chill)) stored under three different temperature and relative humidity conditions over 14 days. To characterize bacterial communities, the total DNA was extracted on days 0, 5, 9, and 14, PCR-amplified for the V3V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq platform, and analyzed using R. Diversity (alpha and beta) analyses revealed that the microbiotas of Fumari and Al Fakher products differed significantly and that flavor had a significant effect on the hookah microbiota. Overall, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Sphingomonas, and Methylobacterium were the predominant bacterial taxa across all products. Additionally, we observed compositional differences between hookah brands across the 14-day incubation. These data suggest that the bacterial communities of hookah tobacco are diverse and differ across brands and flavors, which may have critical implications regarding exposures to specific bacteria among hookah users. Key points • Commercial hookah products harbor diverse bacterial communities. • Brands and flavors impact the diversity of these communities. • Research on their viability and transmission to users’ respiratory tracts is needed. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00253-022-12079-7.
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Tyx RE, Rivera AJ, Satten GA, Keong LM, Kuklenyik P, Lee GE, Lawler TS, Kimbrell JB, Stanfill SB, Valentin-Blasini L, Watson CH. Associations between microbial communities and key chemical constituents in U.S. domestic moist snuff. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267104. [PMID: 35507593 PMCID: PMC9067656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smokeless tobacco (ST) products are widely used throughout the world and contribute to morbidity and mortality in users through an increased risk of cancers and oral diseases. Bacterial populations in ST contribute to taste, but their presence can also create carcinogenic, Tobacco-Specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs). Previous studies of microbial communities in tobacco products lacked chemistry data (e.g. nicotine, TSNAs) to characterize the products and identify associations between carcinogen levels and taxonomic groups. This study uses statistical analysis to identify potential associations between microbial and chemical constituents in moist snuff products. METHODS We quantitatively analyzed 38 smokeless tobacco products for TSNAs using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and nicotine using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Moisture content determinations (by weight loss on drying), and pH measurements were also performed. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the microbial composition, and additionally measured total 16S bacterial counts using a quantitative PCR assay. RESULTS Our findings link chemical constituents to their associated bacterial populations. We found core taxonomic groups often varied between manufacturers. When manufacturer and flavor were controlled for as confounding variables, the genus Lactobacillus was found to be positively associated with TSNAs. while the genera Enteractinococcus and Brevibacterium were negatively associated. Three genera (Corynebacterium, Brachybacterium, and Xanthomonas) were found to be negatively associated with nicotine concentrations. Associations were also investigated separately for products from each manufacturer. Products from one manufacturer had a positive association between TSNAs and bacteria in the genus Marinilactibacillus. Additionally, we found that TSNA levels in many products were lower compared with previously published chemical surveys. Finally, we observed consistent results when either relative or absolute abundance data were analyzed, while results from analyses of log-ratio-transformed abundances were divergent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E. Tyx
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Angel J. Rivera
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Glen A. Satten
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Reproductive Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lisa M. Keong
- Battelle Analytical Services, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Peter Kuklenyik
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Grace E. Lee
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Tameka S. Lawler
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jacob B. Kimbrell
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Stephen B. Stanfill
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Liza Valentin-Blasini
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Clifford H. Watson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Ye J, Ding Y, Qi X, Xu J, Yang X, Zhang Z. Geographic and position-based variations in phyllospheric bacterial communities present on flue-cured tobacco. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:9297-9308. [PMID: 34792639 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11671-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Although tobacco leaves (TLs) contain abundant bacteria, how the geography and leaf position of TLs affect these bacteria is unclear. Here, TLs at different positions from Henan (HN, strong flavor style) and Yunnan (YN, fresh flavor style) provinces were collected, and the bacteria were characterized by Illumina sequencing at harvest and 1 year of storage. Bacterial communities were very different between TLs originating from different geographical areas and positions, and beta diversity analysis showed that leaf position was the most important factor for phyllospheric bacterial communities, followed by geographical area and storage time. At the genus level, Subdoligranulum, Thermus, and Acinetobacter were obviously more abundant in HN than in YN, while Blautia and Ruminococcus were significantly more abundant in YN. These differences in bacterial communities decreased after 1 year of storage, indicating that the microbiota tends to become similar during tobacco processing. Storage time also affected the phyllospheric bacteria of TLs, as the bacterial communities shifted significantly on both HN and YN TLs after 1 year of storage. Significant differences in the predicted genes were also observed between the different geographic locations and leaf positions. Potential human pathogens, including Acinetobacter, Methylobacterium, and Escherichia-Shigella, were greatly different between TLs originating from different areas and positions. These data suggested that geographic variations and positions were associated with phyllospheric bacterial communities on TLs, which may be related to not only the flavor style and quality of TLs but also the potential health risks to humans. KEY POINTS: • Tobacco leaf position and tobacco growth location affected bacterial communities. • Microbial communities of TLs shifted significantly after one year of storage. • Potential human pathogens differed at different leaf positions and growth locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbin Ye
- Key Laboratory of Translational Tumor Medicine in Fujian Province, Putian University, Putian City, 351100, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yilang Ding
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, 450002, Henan Province, China
| | - Xiaona Qi
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, 450002, Henan Province, China
| | - Jia Xu
- Key Laboratory of Translational Tumor Medicine in Fujian Province, Putian University, Putian City, 351100, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xuepeng Yang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, 450002, Henan Province, China.
| | - Zhan Zhang
- Techonology Center, China Tobacco Henan Industrial Co., Ltd.,, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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8
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Rivera AJ, Tyx RE. Microbiology of the American Smokeless Tobacco. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:4843-4853. [PMID: 34110473 PMCID: PMC8190171 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11382-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Smokeless tobacco products (STP) contain diverse microbial communities that contribute to the formation of harmful chemical byproducts. This is concerning since 300 million individuals around the globe are users of smokeless tobacco. Significant evidence has shown that microbial metabolic activities mediate the formation of carcinogens during manufacturing. In recent years, studies have revealed a series of additional health impacts that include lesions and inflammation of the oral mucosa and the gastrointestinal tract, as well as alterations of the endogenous microbiota. These findings are due to recent developments in molecular technologies that allowed researchers to better examine the microbial component of these products. This new information illustrates the scale of the STP microbiota and its diversity in the finished product that is sold for consumption. Additionally, the application of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics has provided the tools to look at phylogenies across bacterial, viral, and eukaryotic groups, their functional capacities, and viability. Here we present key examples of tobacco microbiology research that utilizes newer approaches and strategies to define the microbial component of smokeless tobacco products. We also highlight challenges in these approaches, the knowledge gaps being filled, and those gaps that warrant further study. A better understanding of the microbiology of STP brings vast public health benefits. It will provide important information for the product consumer, impact manufacturing practices, and provide support for the development of attainable and more meaningful regulatory goals. KEY POINTS: Newer technologies allowed quicker and more comprehensive identification of microbes in tobacco samples, encapsulating microorganisms difficult or impossible to culture. Current research in smokeless tobacco microbiology is filling knowledge gaps previously unfilled due to the lack of suitable approaches. The microbial ecology of smokeless tobacco presents a clearer picture of diversity and variability not considered before.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Rivera
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE M.S. S110-03, Atlanta, GA, 30341-3717, USA.
| | - R E Tyx
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE M.S. S110-03, Atlanta, GA, 30341-3717, USA
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Chattopadhyay S, Malayil L, Mongodin EF, Sapkota AR. A roadmap from unknowns to knowns: Advancing our understanding of the microbiomes of commercially available tobacco products. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:2633-2645. [PMID: 33704513 PMCID: PMC7948171 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11183-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is still the leading cause of preventable diseases and death in the USA and throughout the globe. Under Section 904(a)(3) of the US Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, tobacco manufacturing companies need to report on quantities of harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in all tobacco products. While the extensive HPHC list of 2012 includes 93 chemicals, which are categorized as carcinogenic, respiratory, cardiovascular, or reproductive toxicants or addictive compounds, it fails to include microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) that have been shown to contribute to adverse health outcomes among tobacco users. Nevertheless, over the last 50 years, researchers have studied microorganisms in a variety of tobacco products using both culture-based and culture-independent techniques. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of this body of research, detailing the bacterial and fungal microbiomes residing in commercial tobacco products. Overall, studies have characterized over 89 unique bacterial genera and 19 fungal genera in cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, hookah, and smokeless tobacco. The most predominant bacterial genera are Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. Fungal genera identified have included Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Streptomyces, and Candida, to name a few. While some of the identified microorganisms are known human pathogens, others are potential opportunistic pathogens. Given the vast array of microorganisms that are present across diverse types of tobacco products, future research should be focused on the viability of these microorganisms, as well as their ability to transfer to the user's respiratory tract, potentially contributing to adverse health outcomes. KEY POINTS: • Commercial tobacco products harbor diverse bacterial and fungal communities. • Some of these microorganisms are known or opportunistic human pathogens. • Research on their viability and transmission to users' respiratory tracts is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhana Chattopadhyay
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Leena Malayil
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Emmanuel F Mongodin
- Institute for Genome Sciences and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Division of Lung Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amy R Sapkota
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
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Malayil L, Chattopadhyay S, Kulkarni P, Hittle L, Clark PI, Mongodin EF, Sapkota AR. Mentholation triggers brand-specific shifts in the bacterial microbiota of commercial cigarette products. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:6287-6297. [PMID: 32448997 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10681-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial communities are integral constituents of tobacco products. They originate from tobacco plants and are acquired during manufacturing processes, where they play a role in the production of tobacco-specific nitrosamines. In addition, tobacco bacterial constituents may play an important role in the development of infectious and chronic diseases among users. Nevertheless, tobacco bacterial communities have been largely unexplored, and the influence of tobacco flavor additives such as menthol (a natural antimicrobial) on tobacco bacterial communities is unclear. To bridge this knowledge gap, time series experiments including 5 mentholated and non-mentholated commercially available cigarettes-Marlboro red (non-menthol), Marlboro menthol, Newport menthol box, Newport menthol gold, and Newport non-menthol-were conducted. Each brand was stored under three different temperature and relative humidity conditions. To characterize bacterial communities, total DNA was extracted on days 0 and 14. Resulting DNA was purified and subjected to PCR of the V3V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing on the Illumina HiSeq platform and analysis using the QIIME, phyloseq, metagenomeSeq, and DESeq software packages. Ordination analyses showed that the bacterial community composition of Marlboro cigarettes was different from that of Newport cigarettes. Additionally, bacterial profiles significantly differed between mentholated and non-mentholated Newports. Independently of storage conditions, tobacco brands were dominated by Proteobacteria, with the most dominant bacterial genera being Pseudomonas, unclassified Enterobacteriaceae, Bacillus, Erwinia, Sphingomonas, Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Staphylococcus, and Terribacillus. These data suggest that the bacterial communities of tobacco products differ across brands and that mentholation of tobacco can alter bacterial community composition of select brands. KEY POINTS: • Bacterial composition differed between the two brands of cigarettes. • Mentholation impacts cigarette microbiota. • Pseudomonas and Bacillus dominated the commercial cigarettes. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Malayil
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Suhana Chattopadhyay
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Prachi Kulkarni
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Lauren Hittle
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pamela I Clark
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Emmanuel F Mongodin
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy R Sapkota
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
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11
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Smyth EM, Chattopadhyay S, Babik K, Reid M, Chopyk J, Malayil L, Kulkarni P, Hittle LE, Clark PI, Sapkota AR, Mongodin EF. The Bacterial Communities of Little Cigars and Cigarillos Are Dynamic Over Time and Varying Storage Conditions. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2371. [PMID: 31708882 PMCID: PMC6824217 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite their potential importance with regard to tobacco-related health outcomes, as well as their hypothesized role in the production of tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines, bacterial constituents of tobacco products lack characterization. Specifically, to our knowledge, there has been no comprehensive characterization of the effects of storage conditions on the bacterial communities associated with little cigars and cigarillos. To address this knowledge gap, we characterized the bacterial community composition of the tobacco and wrapper components of the following four products: Swisher Sweets Original; Swisher Sweets, Sweet Cherry; Cheyenne Cigars Full Flavor 100's; and Cheyenne Menthol Box. Each product was stored under three different conditions of temperature and relative humidity to mimic different user storage conditions: room (20°C 50% RH), refrigerator (5°C 18% RH) and pocket (25°C 30% RH). On days 0, 5, 9 and 14, subsamples were collected, the wrapper and tobacco were separated, and their total DNA was extracted separately and purified. Resulting DNA was then used in PCR assays targeting the V3 V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing using Illumina HiSeq 300bp PE. Resulting sequences were processed using the Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) software package, followed by analyses in R using the Phyloseq and Vegan packages. A single bacterial phylum, Firmicutes, dominated in the wrapper subsamples whereas the tobacco subsamples were dominated by Proteobacteria. Cheyenne Menthol Box (CMB) samples were characterized by significant differential abundances for 23 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in tobacco subsamples and 27 OTUs in the wrapper subsamples between day 0 and day 14 under all conditions. OTUs from the genera Acinetobacter and Bacillus significantly increased in the CMB tobacco subsamples, and OTUs from Bacillus, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus significantly increased in the CMB wrapper subsamples over time. These initial results suggest that the bacterial communities of little cigars and cigarillos are dynamic over time and varying storage conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoghan M. Smyth
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Suhana Chattopadhyay
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Kelsey Babik
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Molly Reid
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Jessica Chopyk
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Leena Malayil
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Prachi Kulkarni
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Lauren E. Hittle
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Pamela I. Clark
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Amy R. Sapkota
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Emmanuel F. Mongodin
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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