A rapid LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of nicotine and its key derivatives including hydroxylation isomers

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2021

Abstract

A rapid high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneously determining nicotine (NT) and its derivatives including cotinine (CT), trans-3-hydroxycotinine (HC), nornicotine (NNT), anatabine (AT), anabasine (AB) and amino ketone (4-(methylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)1-butanone) (AK) as well as two important metabolites isomers 2-hydroxynicotine (2-HN) and 6-hydroxynicotine (6-HN) in tobacco leaves. Different from other methods, 2-HN and 6-HN isomers can be successfully separated and quantified through a combination of amide and C18 columns and optimized multiple reaction monitoring mode of tandem mass spectrometry. The limits of detections (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of these compounds were 0.02 and 0.06 ng/mL for CT and HC, 0.05 and 0.15 ng/mL for AK and 6-HN, and 0.1 and 0.3 ng/mL for AB, NNT, AT, 2-HN and NT, respectively. Their recoveries ranged from 86.1% for 2-HN to 102.2% for AK by using solvent extraction assisted with ultrasonication. The developed method was validated through determination of the compounds in different regular and genetically modified (for lowering nicotine) tobacco leaves. Conclusively, it is a robust and rapid method for simultaneous quantification of nicotine and its derivatives in tobacco products. The protocol of the method could also be applied in developing analysis method for tracking the toxic substances synthesis and metabolism in tobacco leaves or other herbal plants.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

International Journal of Mass Spectrometry

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