Free radicals in gasphase of cigarette smoke by electron spin resonance spin trapping technic

The free radicals in gasphase of cigarette smoke were determined by use of spin trapping agents PBN (N-tert-butyl-2-phenyl nitrone) and DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide) on electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer. The free radicals were identified according to the spectrum parameters calculated from the spectra. The free radicals mainly consist of alkoxyl and alkyl free radicals, of which alkoxyl free radicals make up 60-70% of the total spectral component. There are a few of other unidentified free radicals. These free radicals are very active and reactive. They can damage cells and lead to some diseases. This will play an important role in scavenging the free radicals and in preventing some diseases caused by the free radicals of cigarette smoke.