The effect of sucralose on flavor sweetness in electronic cigarettes varies between delivery devices.

The appeal of sweet electronic cigarette flavors makes it important to identify the chemical compounds that contribute to their sweetness. While volatile chemicals that produce sweet aromas have been identified in e-liquids, there are no published reports of sugars or artificial sweeteners in commercial e-liquids. However, the sweetener sucralose is marketed as an e-liquid additive to commercial flavors. The primary aims of the study were to determine if sucralose is delivered in sufficient concentration in the inhaled aerosol to enhance flavor sweetness, and whether the amount delivered depends on the e-liquid delivery system. Thirty-two adult smokers rated flavor intensity, sweetness, harshness and liking/disliking for 4 commercial flavors with and without sucralose (1%) using 2 e-cigarette delivery systems (cartridge and tank). Participants alternately vaped normally or with the nose pinched closed to block perception of volatile flavor components via olfaction. LC/MS was used to measure the concentration of sucralose in the e-liquid aerosols using a device that mimicked vaping. Sweetness and flavor intensity were perceived much more strongly when olfaction was permitted. The contribution of sucralose to sweetness was significant only for the cartridge system, and the chemical analysis showed that the concentration of sucralose in the aerosol was higher when the cartridge was used. Together these findings indicate that future regulation of sweet flavor additives should focus first on the volatile constituents of e-liquids with the recognition that artificial sweeteners may also contribute to flavor sweetness depending upon e-cigarette design

Measured sucralose concentrations.

<p>Average sucralose concentration (μg/mg) found across all flavors in the mouthpiece (gray bars) condensate and the vapor trap (black bars). Data from V2 tanks are shown on the left and V2 cartridges shown on the right. Error bars show standard error (n = 12 for tank, n = 15 for cartridge).</p

Mass change of the e-liquid after 20 puffs as well as amount of condensate found inside of the mouthpiece, the mass, and resulting concentration (μg/mg) of sucralose found in the trapped vapor and the mouthpiece condensate.

<p>Mass change of the e-liquid after 20 puffs as well as amount of condensate found inside of the mouthpiece, the mass, and resulting concentration (μg/mg) of sucralose found in the trapped vapor and the mouthpiece condensate.</p

Shown are the 2 e-cigarette delivery systems that were tested.

<p>The systems (cartridge/cartomizer and tank/clearomizer) are powered by the same battery (left), but differ in the way e-liquids are stored and delivered to the heating element (i.e., in a saturated, rolled cotton/ceramic pad vs. a tank containing a braided cotton/ceramic wick) and in the design and size of the mouthpiece.</p

Mean ratings of liking/disliking.

<p>Mean ratings of <i>liking/disliking</i> across both e-cig devices for all e-liquids sampled alone (gray bars) and with 1% sucralose (black bars). Olfaction = nose open, No Olfaction = nose closed. The data show that liking differed significantly between olfactory conditions, as seen by higher ratings with the nose open, and across flavors. The letters on the right-y axis represent labels on the Labeled Hedonic Scale (LHS): DM = Dislike Moderately, DS = Dislike Slightly, N = Neutral, LS = Like Slightly, LM = Like Moderately. Vertical bars represent standard errors of the mean.</p

Ratings of overall flavor, sweetness and harshness intensity.

<p>Log₁₀ mean ratings of (A) Overall Flavor, (B) Sweetness and (C) Harshness/Irritation intensity for each e-liquid alone (gray bars) and with 1% sucralose added (black bars). Data from the V2 EX tanks are on the left and the V2 cartridges on the right under 2 vaping conditions: Olfaction = nose open, No Olfaction = nose closed. The data show that in the No Olfaction condition <i>overall flavor</i> and <i>sweetness</i> were significantly attenuated compared to the Olfaction condition for both E-cigarettes, and that sucralose produced significant increases in the same 2 flavor categories only when added to the V2 cartridges. The letters on the right y-axis represent semantic labels of intensity on the general Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS): BD = Barely Detectable; W = Weak; M = Moderate; S = Strong. Vertical bars are standard errors of the mean.</p