New Tobacco method - Determination of the Content of Total Alkaloids as Nicotine
CORESTA compared their original recommended method (no. 35) for determination of total alkaloids in tobacco (as nicotine) by continuous flow analysis with a new method. In the classical method cyanogen chloride is generated by the reaction of potassium cyanide and chloramine T. The newly proposed method eliminates the use of the potassium cyanide (KCN) by using the less toxic potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) with sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate (DCIC) for color development.
After this comparison study CORESTA replaced method no.35 by this new method CORESTA no. 85.
Therefore, Skalar adapted their automated method on the San++ continuous flow analyzer to the new recommended CORESTA method no. 85.
Principle KSCN/DCIC automated method
The automated procedure for the determination of Nicotine is based on the cyanogen chloride procedure; after dialysis, the cyanogen chloride reacts with nicotine alkaloids in the presence of an aromatic amine to a brown colored complex, which is measured at 460 nm.
References
Skalar Chemical method (no. XXX-XXX)
CORESTA recommended method, no. 85, Tobacco – determination of the content of Total Alkaloids as Nicotine – Continuous Flow Analysis Method Using KSCN/DCIC
Sample preparation (tobacco extract no. 1.1.2)
CORESTA recommended method, no. 85.
The tobacco sample is extracted in acetic acid solution and filtered over a filter paper. The filtrate is offered to the system.
For more information about this method or other applications please contact Skalar.
