Abstract

SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF NICOTINE IN CIGARETTE TOBACCO AND BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES OF SMOKERS

Hany A. Omara* and Salma M. M. Attaf

ABSTRACT

A new simple, accurate, sensitive and economical procedure for the estimation of nicotine (indirect) methods (A and B) for the determination of nicotine in bulk sample and in biological samples are described. The first method is based on the oxidation of nicotine by Nbromosuccinimide (NBS) and determination of the unreacted NBS by measurement of the decrease in absorbance of methyl orange dye (MO) at a suitable λmax = 507 nm. The absorbance concentration plot is linear over the range (0.1-4.8 μg/ml). The second method is based on oxidation of nicotine by cerric sulphate in acidic medium, and determination of the unreacted oxidant by measuring the decrease in absorbance using amaranth dye; (AM) at a suitable λmax (530 nm), respectively. Regression analysis of Beer's law plots showed good correlation in the concentration ranges (0.3-5.9 μg/ml), respectively. The limits of detection as well as quantification are reported. Sex replicate analyses (n=6) of solutions containing three different concentrations of nicotine was carried out. The percent error and the RSD values have been reported. The proposed methods were applied to the determination of nicotine in cigarette tobacco present in Libya and in biological samples (spiked human plasma and urine) and the results demonstrate that the method is equally accurate and precise as found from the t- and F-values. The reliability of the method was established by recovery studies using standard-addition technique.

Keywords: Nicotine; Spectrophotometry; Oxidation reaction; N-bromosuccinimide; Cerric sulphate, Cigarette tobacco in Libyan markets; Spiked human plasma and Urine.