“喉感”科学：调控风味浓缩液中的pH与碱性

作者： Команда исследований и разработок, CUIGUAI Flavoring

Опубликовано: 广东独特风味有限公司

最后更新：Dec 18, 2025

丙二醇与植物甘油的化学性质及pH测试

喉感——在喉咙后部感受到的刺痛或搔痒，是评价电子烟体验的重要指标。它通常与含尼古丁的电子液相关，但即使在无尼古丁的情况下也会存在。 nicotine-free配方依赖感官线索以满足用户。我们深知，在无尼古丁电子液中实现令人满意的喉感，需对化学原理有深刻理解。尤其是， pH配方中的（酸性与碱性）对喉感的强度与锐度起着关键作用。面向B2B配方师，精准调控这些因素对于确保产品性能稳定至关重要。本文深入探讨喉感背后的科学原理，并提供实用策略，帮助调节pH值与风味，以实现理想的吸烟体验。

理解喉感：一种多维度的感官体验

喉感指的是吸入时的物理感觉——常被描述为 warmth, bite, or scratchiness– 用户吸入蒸气时的感觉。这是一种由化学刺激、黏膜干燥和气流压力共同作用的复合反应。多种因素共同影响：

• Nicotine content and form: Freebase nicotine is naturally alkaline (pH ~8–11) and produces a sharp, peppery kick. By contrast, nicotine salts (nicotine reacted with an acid like benzoic) are closer to neutral pH (about 5–7) and yield a much smoother inhale. Although our flavor concentrates contain no nicotine, this distinction is instructive. It illustrates that a higher pH (more alkaline) yields more unbound nicotine molecules – and thus a stronger throat hit – while lower pH binds those molecules and softens the hit.
• PG/VG ratio: The base solvents propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) heavily influence throat sensation. PG is thinner and more hygroscopic: it dries the mucous membranes and readily carries flavor and irritant molecules into the airway. As a result, PG intensifies throat hit. For example, a high-PG blend (e.g. 60/40 PG/VG) will feel much harsher than a high-VG mix (e.g. 30/70), even with the same flavoring. In practice, a Max-PG e-liquid is known to produce a pronounced punch even without nicotine. PG is roughly 30% more hygroscopic than VG, meaning it absorbs moisture from the throat and enhances the sensation of dryness and bite. (VG, being thicker and sweeter, tends to cushion the hit and create large vapor clouds instead.)
• Flavoring agents: Certain flavor chemicals inherently trigger throat sensations. Cinnamaldehyde (from cinnamon) and eugenol (from clove) are potent irritants that give a warm, spicy throat tickle. Pepper extracts (capsaicin or piperine) can create a sharp burning sensation on the exhale. Cooling agents like menthol or WS-23 can add a crisp cold bite that paradoxically accentuates the throat feel. By combining such chemesthetic additives, manufacturers can boost throat impact without altering pH or adding nicotine. For example, adding 0.1–0.3% of a cinnamon or clove oil can simulate the kick of a tobacco vape, while tiny doses of synthetic coolers can add a brisk “thump” to an otherwise mild flavor.

In sum, throat hit emerges from an interplay of factors. Adult vapers often expect a certain amount of kick, so a 0mg product must compensate. Unlike sweetness or aroma (which are purely flavor sensations), throat hit bridges flavor chemistry and inhalation chemistry. Understanding these elements allows a flavor house to deliver exactly the sensation consumers expect when transitioning to nicotine-free products.

Carrier Liquids: PG and VG in Throat Sensation

丙二醇（PG）与植物甘油（VG）基础液在配方中扮演基础角色。PG具有干燥剂特性，能自然去除喉部湿润感，并有效携带风味成分。而VG则更为顺滑浓稠，产生丰富的烟雾，但喉感较轻。许多吸烟者描述PG带来“喉感冲击”，VG则带来“云雾与甜味”。

For e-liquid formulators, solvent choice is a strategic lever. If a product needs a bold throat hit, a higher PG ratio is used; for a gentler vape, higher VG is chosen. Our nicotine-free concentrates are PG-based, so increasing their percentage in the mix inherently raises PG content and sharpens the hit. In practice, we often test formulas at PG/VG ratios from 50/50 to 70/30. For example, a 50/50 blend might serve as our balanced baseline, whereas moving to 70/30 (PG/VG) dramatically amplifies the throat kick. (In one internal study, increasing PG from 50% to 70% roughly doubled the perceived hit on a sensory panel.)

Carriers also affect device behavior. A high-PG formula is ideal for mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices that replicate cigarette draw: it wicks easily and delivers a tight, strong hit. In contrast, sub-ohm tanks often use high-VG blends (70/30 or 80/20) for cloud production and smoothness. In our B2B documentation, we recommend PG/VG ratios matched to device types and target experiences (e.g. a “pod-friendly” nicotine salt line may suggest 50/50, while a high-VG cloud-chasing line might use 30/70). The key point: PG and VG themselves do not change pH significantly (both are near-neutral), but they set the stage for throat feel. Adjusting the PG/VG ratio provides a coarse adjustment of hit, on top of which pH and additives fine-tune the effect.

丙二醇与植物甘油电子液对比

电子液配方中的pH作用

At its core, pH (the measure of hydrogen ion concentration on a 0–14 scale) dictates the balance between acidic and basic molecules in solution. In an e-liquid, this balance governs how many nicotine (or other amine) molecules are protonated (salt form) versus unprotonated (free-base). Alkaline (high-pH) liquids contain more unbound alkaloid molecules, which are more volatile and tend to irritate the throat. Acidic (low-pH) liquids bind those molecules in salt forms, resulting in a smoother throat sensation.

In a typical nicotine-free mix (just PG/VG), pH is often around 6–7. Adding flavor concentrates usually lowers pH, especially if they contain fruit acids (citric, malic) – often down to pH 4–6. Since “most flavor concentrates are naturally acidic (pH ~4–6)”, simply adding them tends to smooth the hit. To counterbalance this, formulators may need to raise the pH back up for a stronger kick. Even small changes in pH are noticeable: our R&D department found that raising a vape’s pH from 6.0 to 7.5 exponentially提升其喉感冲击。在实际操作中，许多电子液的pH值保持在6到7之间以确保风味稳定，但略偏中性或微碱的pH值更能带来那种经典的刺感。

For illustration, consider early e-liquids: freebase nicotine formulations often ran at pH 8–9 to achieve a harsh hit. Nicotine salts reduced pH to ~5–6, resulting in very gentle inhalation. In a nicotine-free context, we mimic this chemistry. For example, a PG/VG juice at pH 6.0 might feel almost nonexistent in bite, but after buffering it to pH 7.5 (with a touch of sodium bicarbonate or similar), testers report a clear, peppery throat sensation. The lesson: the higher the pH, the higher the throat hit.

Beyond throat feel, pH also affects chemical stability. Many flavor compounds (esters, aldehydes) can degrade or change character outside a neutral pH window. Therefore, formulators typically target a mid-range pH (around 6–7) where flavors stay true and throat effect can be tweaked safely. Very low pH (<4) can make liquids taste harshly sour and may corrode hardware, while very high pH (>9) can cause an intense burn. In practice, we keep pH in a moderate zone unless a deliberate deviation is part of the formula.

Manipulating pH: Practical Flavor Strategies

For nicotine-free products, we must rely on flavor chemistry to supply the hit. Here are key strategies:

• pH Modifiers (Food-Grade Acids and Bases):我们会加入微量的安全、食品级的酸或碱，以微调配方的pH值。常用的有：
  • Citric Acid– 带来清新的柑橘酸味；显著降低pH值。
  • Malic Acid– придает острый, яблочный кисловатый вкус; значительно понижает pH.
  • Lactic Acid– мягкий, сливочный кисловатый вкус (запах йогурта); аккуратно понижает pH.
  • Benzoic/Levulinic Acid– применяются в химии никотин-солей; весьма эффективны в снижении pH (с лёгким сладким ароматом).
  • Sodium Bicarbonate– 一种温和的碱性物质；少量使用可略微升高pH（有助于中和酸性）。
  • Potassium/Sodium Hydroxide– сильные основания; в разбавленных растворах способны значительно повысить pH (использовать только опытным специалистам из-за коррозийности).
  • Example:假设一款酸味浆果柑橘汁的pH值降至5.5，感觉偏淡。加入稀释的苏打水溶液（如最终混合物中0.05%）可以将其提升至6.0–6.5，明显增强口感。相反，一款浓郁的香草奶油布丁（pH 7.2）若过于刺激，可加入0.1%的柠檬酸，轻轻调低至7.0，减缓刺激感。操作原则是：逐步微调，品尝测试，然后重复。甚至pH值的0.1–0.2变化都能感受到，因此要小心避免超调。我们常备每种调节剂的储备溶液，滴加时进行搅拌并间隔检测pH。
• Ingredient Selection and Profiling:每种风味的固有酸性都至关重要。奶油味、坚果味或烘焙风味通常接近中性，能较好地保持喉感。而明亮的水果或饮料风味常含有天然酸。在配方中，我们会平衡这些因素：例如，将酸味芒果浓缩液与甜润的乳白底味搭配，既能带来丰富口感，又能增加刺激感。我们还开发专业的 “hit modulator”添加剂——由风味化合物与内置酸或香料组成的专利混合物。例如，我们提供“莓果增强”调节剂，将酸性酯与姜提取物混合。仅加入0.5%至2%的此类调节剂，即可在不重新配方的情况下，可靠地增强喉感。
• Chemesthetic Enhancers:Beyond pH, flavorists use compounds that directly stimulate sensory receptors. As mentioned, cinnamon and clove extracts (containing cinnamaldehyde/eugenol) add warmth, and water-soluble pepper extracts add a fiery flash. These are potent – even 0.1% can have a big effect – so they are used judiciously. Cooling agents are another tool: for instance, adding just 0.1% WS-3 (a synthetic cooling agent) can provide a brisk, clean bite to an otherwise mellow flavor. This seemingly paradoxical cold sensation can make the exhale feel more satisfying. In practice, we often combine multiple tactics: a tobacco flavor might use a base of high-pH caramel with a dash of cinnamon and WS-23 to mimic the multi-faceted throat hit of real smoke.
• Solvent and Matrix Effects:Don’t overlook the rest of the matrix. Ethanol (from natural extracts) evaporates quickly and gives an immediate sharp throat flash, so allowing a mix to degas briefly after blending is wise. Glycerin content adds sweetness and viscosity, which can cushion harshness. Even seemingly inert ingredients like certain emulsifiers or nicotine salts themselves can alter pH. For example, nicotine freebase is basic, so a 0mg liquid with nicotine might read higher in pH than expected; using a nicotine salt instead would lower pH. In general, we recommend letting a new e-liquid steep for 24–48 hours before final pH/taste testing, to ensure all components are fully mixed and any volatile byproducts have settled.

测量与实施

In a production setting, pH adjustment must be systematic and documented. We use calibrated pH meters (often glass electrodes rated for low-conductivity and viscous samples) and measure at room temperature. A typical lab protocol is:

• Initial Measurement:测试无味基础液（丙二醇/植物甘油，无论是否含尼古丁），记录pH值。
• Flavor Addition:按照配方加入风味浓缩液，充分搅拌后再次测量 pH。许多水果浓缩液会降低 pH值。
• Target Determination:Decide on desired pH (often 6.5–7.5 for optimal throat effect).
• Calculation:Determine needed adjustment (for example, if current pH is 6.0 and target is 7.0, how much base to add).
• Addition of Modifier:Dispense the calculated amount of acid or base (usually via pre-mixed solutions) into the bulk e-liquid while stirring.
• Re-Measurement:After mixing for a few minutes, measure pH again. If off-target, repeat with smaller additions.
• Final Record:达到目标 pH 后，记录最终读数及所有用量，建立批次记录。

Even after reaching the target pH, we always perform sensory testing. A side-by-side vape test (control vs. adjusted) confirms whether the throat hit is as intended. Sometimes we find, for example, that a blend at pH 6.8 still needs a touch more base to achieve “commercial strength” hit. Conversely, an over-adjustment might create bitterness that only shows up on inhale. Iteration with a small panel (or trained tasters) ensures no off-notes are introduced.

安全与合规至关重要。我们使用的所有pH调节剂均为食品级安全（GRAS）认可的物质。在操作浓缩酸或碱时，仍遵循良好操作规程（佩戴手套、护目镜、在通风柜中操作）。生产过程中，我们通常制备单一批次的pH调节液（例如：1升10%柠檬酸在丙二醇中），并使用精确的容量分配器以确保一致性。

质量控制亦涵盖产品的存储期限。监管指南（如FDA要求）规定电子液应在时间推移中保持化学稳定，pH值在储存期间不宜偏离太多。我们采用加速老化测试：将已灌装的电子液容器在高温下存放，定期重新检测pH和风味。如pH发生偏移（如酸分解所致），则在配方中加入缓冲剂进行调整。简而言之，我们在早期确定pH值，并确保其在整个产品生命周期内保持稳定。

精准电子液 pH平衡技术

Data and Industry Insights

科学文献与行业数据验证了这些策略。同行评审的研究指出，降低电子液pH（通过加入酸）可以缓解喉咙刺激感，而提高pH则会增强这种刺激。一本综述中 Tobacco Control确认尼古丁盐的较低pH值带来更顺滑的吸入体验。我们实验室的数据显示：在盲测中，吸烟者普遍认为高pH的电子液较为刺激。

下图展示了典型的结果。它比较了不同配方类型的喉感强度：蓝色柱（高VG、无尼古丁）较低，红色柱（高浓度游离碱尼古丁）较高。值得注意的是，绿色柱（经过pH调节和增强喉感的优化风味配方）几乎与红色柱持平。这表明，通过化学调控，我们可以在无尼古丁的情况下实现强烈的喉感体验。

Formulation data (above) demonstrates that with smart chemistry, a 0mg e-liquid can approach the throat impact of a high-nicotine one. The “optimized” formula (green) uses a slightly raised pH and selected flavor additives to enhance hit. This underscores that advanced flavor engineering – fine-tuning pH, solvent ratio, and chemesthetic agents – can deliver the desired throat feel even in a nicotine-free product.

In practical terms, B2B manufacturers can use these techniques to create versatile product lines. For example, one company might offer both “Classic” (higher pH, PG-forward) and “Ultra Smooth” (lower pH, VG-forward) versions of the same flavor. The flavor base stays identical, but chemistry tweaks adjust the experience. This reduces development time while meeting diverse consumer preferences.

Ключевые выводы

• pH is the master control:电子液的pH值越高，喉感越强烈。调节pH值上下是控制喉感的最直接方式。
• Flavor acids usually smooth the hit:大多数风味浓缩液本质上呈酸性（pH 4–6）。加入后，通常会使液体口感更顺滑。为了保持冲击力，常需添加碱性物质或选择酸性较低的浓缩液。
• Balance acids and bases:使用食品级酸（如柠檬酸、苹果酸等）轻柔调低pH值，减缓喉感；用稀释的碱性物质（如苏打水、稀释的氢氧化钾/氢氧化钠）调高pH值，增强刺激感。每次调整都应以极小的步伐进行，并反复检测pH及风味。
• PG amplifies everything:Increasing PG content will amplify throat hit by itself. If you raise PG/VG ratio, expect a stronger hit even if pH is unchanged.
• Test and document:每批次测量 pH值与风味特征，调整后进行并排吸烟测试。由于监管标准（如FDA）要求产品化学性质的一致性，确保最终电子液在其保质期内保持目标 pH值与感官特性的一贯稳定。
• Leverage innovation:Combining pH control with creative additives (spices, coolers, etc.) allows you to innovate. You can craft novel, innovative能够保持传统电子烟满足感的无尼古丁配方。

Conclusion: Engineering the Perfect Hit

Creating the ideal throat hit in a nicotine-free e-liquid is both science and art. By understanding and manipulating pH, PG/VG ratio, and sensory-active ingredients, manufacturers can deliver satisfying, repeatable throat kicks that adult vapers expect. Our nicotine-free flavor concentrates are designed with these principles in mind, enabling our B2B customers to formulate products that stand out in the market. Through careful pH adjustment and ingredient selection, a brand can meet consumer demands for both authentic flavor以及令人难忘的喉感，令用户反复回味。

上方瓶装示例是一款高端电子液，经过专业调配，达到平衡的pH值、理想的溶剂比例以及协同的风味矩阵。由此带来顺滑而富有冲击力的吸烟体验，喉感清晰而持久——全部不含一滴尼古丁。这正是我们客户通过应用上述技术所实现的高性能无尼古丁产品。

高端电子液开发与质量控制

About CUIGUAI Flavor

CUIGUAI Flavor is a leading supplier of advanced e-liquid flavor concentrates. Our nicotine-free flavor libraries incorporate patented throat-hit enhancers and precise pH buffering. Partner with us to leverage cutting-edge flavor chemistry in your next vaping product.

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