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Just so people know what is being discussed above, and to inform users of flavourings, or even pre made e-juice. Diacetyl, Acetyl Propionyl, Pentanedione and Acetoin are in a family of chemicals called diketones, these are associated with popcorn lung.

They are substances that MAY be found in some flavourings (usually buttery or popcorn type flavours).

It is strongly advised that you do not use flavorings that contain or can produce the above.

If you want to know more I suggest that a search of the internet will supply a lot of information, but in brief, I have tried to summerise it below.

Diacetyl
Diacetyl is a chemical that was found to be a prominent volatile constituent in butter flavoring and air at the microwave popcorn plant initially investigated by NIOSH. Diacetyl is also known as the alpha-diketone, 2,3-butanedione, or by its Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, 431-03-08.
Workers in microwave popcorn manufacturing are exposed to many materials besides diacetyl. Thus, NIOSH's initial studies in a total of 6 microwave popcorn plants were not able to definitely determine if diacetyl exposure contributed to lung disease or was a marker for other hazardous substances that contributed to disease. Still, NIOSH studies in the initial plant documented a relationship between cumulative exposure to diacetyl vapor over time and having abnormal lung function as measured by a test of lung function called spirometry. Also, higher cumulative exposure to diacetyl in this plant was associated with having a lower level of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1), an important measure of lung function. Across all six microwave popcorn plants studied by NIOSH, working as a mixer of butter flavorings and heated soybean oil was associated with higher exposure to diacetyl vapor than working in other areas of the plants. People who had ever worked as mixers had more chest symptoms and poorer lung function as measured by lower FEV 1 than people who had never worked as mixers. People who had worked as mixers for more than 12 months had more shortness of breath with exertion and lower FEV 1 than people who had worked as mixers for less than 12 months.
Subsequent studies have helped to clarify the role of diacetyl. Toxicology studies have shown that vapors from heated butter flavorings can cause damage to airways in animals (Hubbs et al, 2002). Studies in both rats and mice demonstrate that the cells lining airways can be damaged by inhaling diacetyl vapors as a single agent exposure in both acute and subchronic studies (Hubbs et al, 2008; Morgan et al, 2008). In mice, aspiration of diacetyl alone caused a pattern of injury that replicates some of the features of human obliterative bronchiolitis (Morgan et al, 2008). These findings support the hypothesis that diacetyl vapors are an inhalation hazard in the workplace. Also, a study from the Netherlands shows that chemical workers in a plant that manufactured diacetyl developed the same type of lung disease as microwave popcorn workers (van Rooy et al, 2007 and 2009). These chemical workers had less complicated exposures than microwave popcorn workers. Overall, current evidence points to diacetyl as one agent that can cause flavorings-related lung disease. Other flavoring ingredients may also play a role.

Acetyl Propionyl
Acetyl Propionyl is very similar to Diacetyl is another chemical that was found to be a prominent volatile constituent in butter flavoring and sometimes used in addition or as a substitute for Diacetyl. It should be treated with the same concern.

Pentanedione
The alpha-diketone, 2,3-pentanedione, has received attention as a flavoring substitute for diacetyl. It is also known as acetyl propionyl or by CAS number 600-14-6. It is structurally very similar to diacetyl since 2,3-pentanedione is a 5-carbon alpha-diketone and diacetyl is a 4-carbon alpha-diketone. Published reports on the toxicity of 2,3-pentanedione were first published in abstract form in 2010 (Hubbset al. 2010b; Morgan et al. 2010). A recent NIOSH peer-reviewed publication documents that acute inhalation exposures to 2,3-pentanedione cause airway epithelial damage that is similar to diacetyl in laboratory studies (Hubbset al. 2012). In 2-week inhalation studies in rats, NIEHS researchers found that 2,3-pentanedione caused proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in the walls of airways and projections of fibrous connective tissue sometimes extended into the air passageways (Morganet al. 2012b). Preliminary data suggest that repeated exposures to either 2,3-pentanedione or diacetyl can cause airway fibrosis in rats (Morganet al. 2012a). In the acute inhalation study of 2,3-pentanedione, changes in gene expression were noted in the brain (Hubbset al. 2012). Preliminary data suggests that diacetyl can cause changes in the central nervous system that are similar to those caused by 2,3-pentanedione (Hubbset al. 2010a). As a group, these publications raise concerns that the toxicologic effects of diacetyl may be shared with alpha-diketones which are close structural analogs. Additional alpha-diketones of interest include, but are not limited to, those used in food manufacturing such as 2,3-hexanedione and 2,3-heptanedione (Dayet al. 2011).

Acetoin
Acetoin, along with diacetyl, is one of the compounds giving butter its characteristic flavor. Because of this, manufacturers of partially hydrogenated oils typically add acetoin and diacetyl (along with beta carotene for the yellow color) to the final product, which would otherwise be tasteless.
Acetoin is used as a food flavoring (in baked goods) and a fragrance. It can be found in apples, butter, yogurt, asparagus, black currants, blackberry, wheat, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cantaloupe.

FlavourArt – Dark Vapure

Another strong and realistic tobacco flavour. Rich, Creamy, Dark, Earthy, are all words I would use to describe this tobacco flavour.

Again I find this is a good base mixer, to build on, I don’t care for it as a stand alone. Only small quantities are required, so it can be pre-diluted to a 20% reduction in PG and then added to a mix to keep more control over the exact %ages used.

I suggest equal amounts mixed with another tobacco (such as FlavourArt Perique Black) to give a strong realistic tobacco flavour. Also good as a base tobacco for some fruits.

2% to 4% is about right as it is a strong flavour. Requires a longer steeping time to develop, I suggest at least a week, maybe two, depending on the other flavours.

Rated 9/10

The Perfumers Apprentice – Black Cherry

A reasonably good dark cherry flavour, has a little chemical aftertaste, but OK if mixed with tobaccos. But, it is strong… A flavour that can easily overpower anything you mix it with.

Very strong, only needs between 1% and 5% when added to other flavours, gives a strong lasting, cherry taste.

Requires a few days steeping to finalise and fix the flavour, taints syringes, needles and bottles with cherry flavour.

Rated 7/10

I use everything from 1ml to 100ml syringes and 14, 16, & 18 guage neddles (mostly the larger bore needles for VG, Nic, etc). I also use the larger syringes without needle and fill from the top for quantaties over 30ml, or it takes an age to suck the liquid up.

FlavourArt - Blackberry

One of many Blackberry concentrates I have tried, this one has a good depth of flavour, reasonably realistic and mixes well with other flavours.

Can be used as a stand alone flavour but works best with other fruits, custards, creams, candies, etc.

It is not overly sweet and will stand some sweetening if required for the mix. Lingering aftertaste of Blackberries in the mouth.

Can dominate other more subtle flavours so about 5% seems right for most mixes.

Rated 8/10

Cupcake World Intense Flavour - Strawberry

A very realistic strawberry, not over sweet, a natural as opposed to chemical flavour that a lot of strawberry concentrates have, you can almost taste the strawberry pips / seeds in it.

Blends well with other flavours especially chocolate, or with other fruits and creams, it can be sweetened easily without affecting overall flavour.

I mix at 10 -25%, depending on what other flavours are also in the mix and if I want it as the dominating flavour, or as part of a balanced fruit mix. As all mixes I allow 5 days to steep, this helps mellow and smooth the flavour and reduce any harshness.

Can be sweetened with Stevia or Ethyl Maltol without detracting from the flavour.


My overall score: 9/10

Another new Flavour added to the store..... To compliment our range of retro sweet type flavours.

Aunty Flo’s Pear Drops, another treat for serious sweetie lovers everywhere who enjoy strong, bold, retro, sweet shop style flavours.

Take a look.....

Enjoy!