title: Evaluation of two derivatization reagents for the determination by LC-MS/MS of ammonia in cigarette mainstream smoke.
abstract: Ammonia in cigarette mainstream smoke was quantified by LC-MS/MS after derivatization. Two different reagents, fluorescamine and dansyl chloride, were investigated, but only the latter gave stable derivatives; therefore, it was considered the most appropriate choice. Smoke samples were collected on a Cambridge filter pad followed by an impinger containing a solution of hydrochloric acid. Ammonia was then derivatized with a 18.5 mM solution of dansyl chloride in acetonitrile at 70 °C for 30 min in a vial with the internal standard, (15)ND(4)Cl. The resulting derivative was analyzed by LC-MS/MS detection with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface in the positive ionization mode using multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM). Good linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 0.02-1.65 μg/mL (r(2) ≥ 0.999), and the limit of detection (LOD) was established at 0.006 μg/mL. This method has the advantage of being sensitive, efficient, and reliable and is not hindered by interferences from the sample matrix. It should thus be considered a reference method of choice for the determination of ammonia in smoke.
authors.affiliation: Philip Morris International R&D, Philip Morris Products SA, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. nicolas.mottier@pmintl.com
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mottier
authors.forename: Florent
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jeanneret
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003619:Dansyl Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D005450:Fluorescamine / Q000032:analysis; D012906:Smoke / Q000032:analysis*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003619:Dansyl Compounds; D012906:Smoke; D005450:Fluorescamine; D000641:Ammonia; C029038:dansyl chloride