Physical and chemical assessment of 1,3 Propanediol as a potential substitute of propylene glycol in refill liquid for electronic cigarettes

Introduction:
This text is a scientific report on the physical and chemical assessment of 1,3-propanediol (PDO) as a potential substitute for propylene glycol (PG) in refill liquids for electronic cigarettes (ECs). The report discusses the stability, thermic profile, nicotine delivery, flavor enhancement, and aerodynamic properties of PDO in comparison to PG and glycerol (VG). The study aims to evaluate the safety and efficiency of PDO as a potential e-liquid ingredient.

Key Points:

* PDO is stable upon heating when ECs are used in recommended conditions.
* PDO has a better thermic profile compared to PG and VG, showing less thermal decomposition by-products.
* PDO gives nicotine a more basic environment, ensuring a high level of free base nicotine form.
* a quantum mechanical-based computational method was validated to evaluate e-liquids as flavor enhancers.
* PDO seems to have better flavoring properties than glycerol and propylene glycol.
* PDO induces quite similar aerodynamic properties compared to PG and VG.
* The study was conducted using various thermal, physicochemical, and computational methods.
* The research supports the potential use of PDO as a safer and more efficient alternative to PG in e-liquids.

Main Message:
This scientific report establishes the potential of PDO as a safer and more efficient alternative to PG in e-liquids for ECs. The study's key findings indicate that PDO is stable upon heating, has a better thermic profile, provides a more basic environment for nicotine, enhances flavor, and has similar aerodynamic properties compared to PG and VG. Therefore, PDO could serve as a promising substitute for PG, providing a significant public health benefit if there is a switch from smoking to EC use. however, further research is needed to ensure the long-term safety and effectiveness of PDO in e-liquids.

Bertrand, Philippe, Vincent Bonnarme, antoine Piccirilli, Philippe ayrault, Laurent Lemée, Gilles Frapper, and Jérémie Pourchez. “Physical and Chemical assessment of 1,3 Propanediol as a Potential Substitute of Propylene Glycol in Refill Liquid for Electronic Cigarettes.” Scientific Reports 8, no. 1 (July 16, 2018): 10702. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29066-6.