"Dilute & shoot" approach for rapid determination of trace amounts of nicotine in zero-level e-liquids by reversed phase liquid chromatography and hydrophilic interactions liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry-electrospray ionization

J Chromatogr A. 2013 May 10:1289:13-8. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2013.02.078. Epub 2013 Mar 4.

Abstract

Two analytical procedures are proposed where HILIC and RPLC techniques are coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection for rapid determination of trace amounts of nicotine in zero-level liquids for electronic cigarettes. Samples are prepared on the basis of the approach "dilute & shoot" which makes this important step quick and not complicated. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a Zorbax XDB column (RPLC method) and Ascentis Si column (HILIC mode). Within-run precisions (CVs) measured at three concentration levels were as follows: 0.73%, 0.98% and 1.44% for RPLC method and 1.39%, 1.44% and 0.57% (HILIC mode). Between-run CVs were as follows: 1.94%, 1.02% and 1.22% for RPLC mode and 1.49%, 1.20% and 1.22% for HILIC mode. The detection limits of RPLC and HILIC modes were 4.08 and 3.90 ng/mL respectively. The proposed procedures are rapid, not complicated, sensitive and are suitable for fast determination of trace amounts of nicotine in zero-level liquids for electronic cigarettes.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Chromatography, Reverse-Phase / methods*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Nicotine / analysis*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Tobacco Products / analysis*

Substances

  • Nicotine