Measurement of the Free-Base Nicotine Fraction (α_fb) in Electronic Cigarette Liquids by Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction.

ABSTRACT: A method for determining the fraction of free-base nicotine (α_fb) in electronic cigarette liquids ("e-liquids") based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (h-SPME) is described. The free-base concentration c_e,fb = α_fbc_e,T, where c_e,T is the total (free-base + protonated) nicotine in the liquid. For gas/liquid equilibrium of the volatile free-base form, the headspace nicotine concentration is proportional to c_e,fb and thus also to α_fb. Headspace nicotine is proportionally absorbed with an SPME fiber. The fiber is thermally desorbed in the heated inlet of a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer: the desorbed nicotine is measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. For

SUBMITTER: Pankow JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9230963 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature