Search

PurposeThis paper aims to present a robust method for the determination of α- and ß-2, 7, 11-cembratriene-4, 6-diols (α, ß-CBT-diol) in tobacco samples which was developed and validated by using the self-made α, ß-CBT-diol with higher purity as the standard.Design/methodology/approachAfter the ultrasonic extraction and clean-up procedures, samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode and full scan mode at the same time. A 1-heptadecanol was used as an internal standard. The important parameters, such as extraction conditions and derivation conditions, were optimized.FindingsUnder the optimal conditions, good results in terms of linearity (R2> 0.999) and recoveries (93.2-107 per cent) were achieved. The limits of detection were 0.120 and 0.180 μg/ml for α- and ß-CBT-diol, respectively. α, ß-CBT-diol level of analyzed tobacco was found in the range of 34.2-1.26 × 103 μg/g with relative standard deviations below 6 per cent.Originality/valueSuch a strategy opens a new door towards the development of a simple, robust and sensitive method for the determination of α, ß-CBT-diol in real samples.