Fast analysis of nicotine in tobacco using double-shot pyrolysis--gas chromatography--mass spectrometry.
A simple, rapid, and sensitive assay of nicotine in tobacco has been developed using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (DSP-GC-MS). The optimum pyrolyzer (desorption) conditions, using Korean tobacco grade B1O (0.4 mg) and n-heptadecane as an internal standard, were found to be heating from 50 to 300 degrees C at a rate of 60 degrees C/min. Replicate determinations (n = 5), on the same tobacco and using n-heptadecane as the internal standard, resulted in a nicotine content of 1.96%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.9%. This result was in good agreement with those from established methods: the Cai ether extraction method, a chloroform extraction method, and the CORESTA recommended method. However, the DSP method requires less than half the time of the solvent extraction methods, requires less sample, is almost solvent-free, and is less labor-intensive. The DSP method was used to determine the nicotine content of eight flue-cured tobaccos from Brazil, China, Korea, and the United States, which were found to have contents ranging from 1.21 to 2.19%.
Lee
Jae Gon
JG
Department of Tobacco Research, KT&G Central Research Institute, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-805, Korea. jgolee@ktng.com
Lee
Chang Gook
CG
Kwag
Jae Jin
JJ
Rhee
Moon Soo
MS
Buglass
Alan J
AJ
Lee
Gae Ho
GH
D002725:Chloroform; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000737:chemistry*
D009538:Nicotine; D002725:Chloroform