Licorice
(Licorice Fluid Extract, Powder, and Root)Licorice is used by tobacco companies as a flavoring/sweetening agent, a moisturizing agent and as a flavor harmonizing agent. Virtually all American cigarettes use casing materials such as licorice to mellow nicotine harshness, enhance the flavor of the tobaccos and to increase smoothness and body. Licorice enhances tobacco smoke by masking the undesirable characteristics of different types of tobaccos. It provides a hard to detect pleasant sweet undertone to the smoke. Licorice reduces dryness in the mouth and throat of smokers. It also improves the moisture holding characteristics of tobacco thus increasing stability and shelf life and improves the rate of absorption of flavors uniformly and evenly into tobacco. The 1981 usage levels of licorice in cigarette tobacco ranged from .25-.4% and in chewing tobacco from 3-6%. A 1983 study shows increasing the amount of licorice from moderate to high results in increasing smoke heaviness and body and a slight amount of mouthcoating. RJR has examined reducing the concentration of licorice and stated in 1969 that a 25% reduction would not significantly affect smoke quality. Minimal information found thus far on licorice toxicity. Licorice Fluid Extract CAS number: 97676-23-8, 84775-66-6Synonyms: Glycyrrhiza glabra extractIndustry claims found in: glycyrrhiziaIndustry claims used in: baked goods, candy, meat products, frozen dairy desserts Possible physical or functional effects: Flavor enhancers; Flavoring agents and adjuvants; Surface-active agentsProperties: industry claims FEMA GRAS; industry claims FDA GRAS; used in cigarettes; used in smokeless tobaccoLicorice PowderIndustry claims found in: glycyrrihiziaIndustry claims used in: baked goods, candy, meat frozen dairy dessertsProperties: industry claims FEMA GRAS; industry claims FDA GRAS; used in cigarettesLicorice RootCAS number: 8008-94-4Synonyms: Licorice root extract; Glycyrrhiza extractChemical class: Herbs, Essential Oils, ExtractsIndustry claims found in: glycyrrhiziaIndustry claims used in: candy, baked goods, meat products, frozen dairy dessertsPossible physical or functional effects: Flavor enhancers; Flavoring agents and adjuvants; Nutrient supplements; Surface-active agentsProperties: industry claims FEMA GRAS; industry claims FDA GRAS; used in cigarettes; used in smokeless tobaccoToxicology: LD50 (oral, rat) 14,200 mg/kg; mod. toxic by IP, subcut. routes; mildly toxic by ingestion; mutagenic data; heated to decomp., emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes