Analysis of Cigarette Smoke by Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

This paper reports the analysis of the combustion products from moderate and low-tar cigarettes. The compounds were collected by a solvent trap coupled with automatic headspace solid phase micro-extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The fiber, solvent system, extraction temperature, and extraction time were investigated by orthogonal experimental design. The optimized conditions included the use of an 85 lm carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane fiber, tert-butyl methyl ether as the solvent, an extraction temperature of 110 C, and an extraction time of 30 min. Thirty compounds were identified by GC-MS, and twelve aromatic hydrocarbons (51.08%) and 11 hydrocarbons (36.38%) were the major components. The 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene (79.60%) and furfural (60.03%) had the largest reduction in low-tar cigarettes compared to moderate-tar cigarettes. This method was shown to be fast, simple, accurate, and precise.

Laser desorption sample transfer for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

“…Several other GC/MS studies have also revealed that main‐stream cigarette smoke contains more than hundreds of compounds, including phenols, volatile carboxylic acids, long‐chain fatty acids, pyridines, hydroxycarboxylic acid and benzoic acids . Several studies have also detected pentadecanoic acid and phytol as constituents in collected cigarette smoke . The collected material consisted of a brown deposit that may include some tar and cigarette ash as well .…”

“…[54][55][56] Several studies have also detected pentadecanoic acid and phytol as constituents in collected cigarette smoke. [57,58] The collected material consisted of a brown deposit that may include some tar and cigarette ash as well. [59] It is important to note that in our simple collection method, the cigarette smoke was captured on a filter cartridge that may not trap all of the particulate or the more volatile compounds.…”