“喉感”科学：调控风味浓缩液中的pH与碱性

作者： 翠盖调味研发团队

出版： 广东独味有限公司

最后更新：Dec 18, 2025

PG与VG的化学性质及pH测试

喉感——在喉咙后部感受到的刺痛或痒感——是电子烟品质的重要指标。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配方中的酸碱性（酸度与碱性）在喉感的强烈与锐利程度中起着关键作用。对于B2B配方师而言，精准调控这些因素至关重要，以确保产品性能的稳定。本篇文章深入探讨喉感背后的科学原理，并提供调节pH与风味的实用策略，以实现理想的体验效果。

理解喉感：多维度的感官体验

喉感指的是吸入时的物理感受——常被描述为 warmth, bite, or scratchiness– 用户吸入蒸气时的感受，是由多种因素共同作用的复合反应，包括化学刺激、黏膜干燥及气流压力。多方面因素共同影响：

• 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具有干燥作用，能自然去除喉咙湿润感，同时有效携带风味分子；VG则更为顺滑浓稠，生成丰富的蒸汽云，但喉感较轻。许多吸烟者认为PG带来“喉感冲击”，VG则提供“云雾与甜润”。

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.

PG与VG电子液比较

电子液配方中的pH角色

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值则能带来那种经典的刺激感。

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):我们会加入微量安全的食品级酸或碱，以精细调节混合物的pH值。常用的有：
  • Citric Acid– 带来纯净的柑橘酸味，显著降低pH值。
  • Malic Acid– 带来锐利如苹果般的酸味，显著降低pH值。
  • Lactic Acid– 柔和细腻的酸味（如酸奶的余韵），温和地降低pH值。
  • Benzoic/Levulinic Acid– 在尼古丁盐化学中应用，极为有效地降低pH值，伴有淡淡的甜香。
  • Sodium Bicarbonate– 一种温和的碱性物质；少量加入可略微升高pH值，有助于中和酸性。
  • Potassium/Sodium Hydroxide– 强碱，在稀释溶液中能显著提升pH值（因腐蚀性强，仅限专家使用）。
  • Example:假设一款酸涩的浆果柑橘汁pH降至5.5，口感偏淡。加入稀释的苏打水溶液（例如最终混合物中0.05%）即可将pH提升至6.0–6.5，明显增强刺激感。反之，若一款浓郁的香草奶油布丁pH达7.2，过于强烈，可加入0.1%的柠檬酸，温和降低至7.0，缓解刺激。操作原则：逐步微调，品尝测试，然后反复。即使pH变化0.1–0.2，也能明显感受到差异，切勿过度调整。我们常备各调节剂的储备溶液，逐滴加入，边搅拌边间歇检测pH值。
• Ingredient Selection and Profiling:每种风味的天然酸碱性至关重要。奶油、坚果或烘焙类风味趋于中性，能较好保留喉感；而明亮的水果或饮料风味常含天然酸性成分。在配方中，我们会加以平衡：例如，将酸涩的芒果浓缩与甜润的乳基风味搭配，不仅丰富口感，也带来微妙的刺激。我们还会开发专门的 “hit modulator”添加剂——由风味化合物与内含酸或香料的专利混合物。例如，我们提供“Berry Boost”调节剂，融合了酸味酯与一丝姜提取物。仅加入0.5%至2%的调节剂，即可让制造商在不重调配的情况下，灵活提升喉感。
• 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（PG/VG，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值。许多水果浓缩液会降低液体的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:当达到目标pH后，记录最终读数及所有用量，存入批次记录。

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。我们所用的所有pH调节剂均为食品级安全认可（GRAS）。在操作浓缩酸碱时，我们仍严格遵守良好操作规程（佩戴手套、护目镜、在通风柜中进行）。生产过程中，常配制单一批次的pH调节液（如1升10%柠檬酸在PG中），并使用精密的容量分配器以确保一致性。

质量控制亦涵盖产品的存储寿命。法规（如FDA要求）规定电子液应在时间推移中保持化学稳定，pH值在储存过程中不应偏离太远。我们采用加速老化测试：将装填好的电子液存放于高温环境，定期重新检测pH值与风味。如pH值偏移（例如酸分解所致），我们会调整配方加入缓冲剂。总之，早期锁定pH，确保其在整个使用期内保持稳定。

精准电子液pH平衡

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（通过添加酸）可以缓解喉咙刺激感，而升高pH则相反。某一综述中 Tobacco Control已确认尼古丁盐的较低pH值带来更为顺滑的吸入体验。我们实验室的数据显示，在盲测中，吸烟者普遍认为高pH值的电子液更刺激、更粗糙。

下方图表展示了典型的效果对比。不同配方的喉感强度一目了然：蓝色柱代表高VG、无尼古丁的电子液，较低；红色柱为高浓度游离碱尼古丁液，较高。值得注意的是，绿色柱为经过pH调节与增强剂优化的纯风味配方，其喉感几乎媲美含尼古丁的配方。这证明，通过化学调控，我们完全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.

Key Takeaways

• pH is the master control:电子液的pH值越高，喉感越强烈。调节pH升降，是控制喉感最为直接有效的方法。
• Flavor acids usually smooth the hit:大多数风味浓缩液本身偏酸（pH 4–6），添加后能使液体口感更为顺滑。为保持风味的冲击力，常需加入碱性物质或选择酸性较低的浓缩液。
• Balance acids and bases:使用食品级的酸（如柠檬酸、苹果酸）温和调低pH值，软化喉感；用稀释的碱（苏打水、稀释的氢氧化钾/钠）提升pH，增强刺激感。每次调节都应微小渐进，反复检测pH和风味。
• 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，调整后进行并排烟试。由于法规标准（如FDA）要求产品化学性质的稳定，务必确保最终电子液在其保质期内保持预设的pH值与感官特性。
• 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，让用户反复回味。

上方瓶身展现了一款高端电子液的典范。其经过巧妙调配，平衡了pH值、溶剂比例与风味协同，带来顺滑而富有冲击力的吸烟体验，喉感饱满而不失细腻——全无一丝尼古丁痕迹。这正是客户通过应用上述技术所打造的卓越无尼电子产品。

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.

行动呼吁

准备提升您的下一款电子烟产品？欢迎联系我们获取一 技术交流或索取我们优化风味浓缩液的免费样品。我们的研发团队随时准备探讨您的配方需求，并分享最佳实践。