Little is known about dokha tobacco, an emerging alternative tobacco product that is quickly gaining popularity in the Arabian Gulf, Middle East, and Europe. Dokha is a loose tobacco sold in small jars and is smoked in a small pipe called a “midwakh”. The aim of this study was to analyze the biological components of dokha samples using DNA barcoding, sequencing, and microbial assays. Fifteen dokha samples were collected from retail locations in the UAE and US. DNA was extracted from samples and analyzed using both DNA barcoding and whole genome sequencing. DNA barcoding was achieved by PCR amplification using rbcL primer sets. BLAST and BOLD plant libraries were used for sample identification. Whole genome sequence analysis was completed using the OneCodex taxonomic classification tool. DNA extraction yielded a range of 0.5 – 4ng/ul from 100mg tobacco samples. All samples were identified within the genus Nicotiana and had hits on various species. There were no hits on other plant species. Whole genome sequencing showed bacterial colonization on a number of the samples. Bacterial species included novel strains of Clostridium (C105KSO15, C105KSO14, and C105KSO14), Campylobacter, and Streptococcus. Analysis of these samples revealed that dokha tobacco consists of pure Nicotiana tobacco leaf, and is not mixed with other substances. Further microbial communities exist in much the same pattern as other commercial tobacco products, which suggests this is a harmful tobacco product.
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