THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF THE RUBBER VULCANIZATION AGENT, ZINC DIBENZYLDITHIOCARBAMATE, AND ITS POTENTIAL ROLE IN NITROSAMINE FORMATION IN HAMS PROCESSED IN ELASTIC NETTINGS

The thermal decomposition of zinc dibenzyldithiocarbamate (ZnDBzDTC), a compound used in the formulation of rubber and a possible precursor for N-nitrosodibenzylamine (NDBzA), was studied by a variety of thermal and spectroscopic techniques. At 326 degrees C, the decomposition temperature of the dithiocarbamate, carbon disulfide and dibenzylamine were the principal products formed. Smaller amounts of toluene, benzyl isothiocyanate, N,N,N'-tribenzylthiourea, and benzylbenzylidene were identified. The amount of dibenzylamine (DBzA) formed by the thermal decomposition of ZnDBzDTC may have a limited role in the formation of NDBzA in hams processed in elastic rubber nettings. The thermal conditions used in the smokehouse are significantly lower than the decomposition temperature of purified ZnDBzDTC.