Analyses of alkaloids in different products by NACE-MS

A simple method for the separation and characterization of five nicotine-related alkaloids by NACE employing UV and MS detections is described here for the first time. Several factors, including NACE parameters (compositions of running solution) and MS parameters (such as nature and flow rate of sheath liquid, pressure of nebulization gas, and flow rate of dry gas), were optimized in order to obtain both an adequate CE separation and high MS signals for the alkaloid compounds used in this study. A reliable CE separation of five alkaloids was achieved in 50 mM ammonium formate that was dissolved in an ACN/methanol mixture (50:50, v/v) of pH* 4.0 (apparent pH 4.0). The optimal electrospray MS measurement was carried out in the positive ionization mode using a coaxial sheath liquid composed of isopropyl alcohol and water in the ratio of 80:20 v/v at a flow rate of 180 microL/h. In addition, the proposed NACE method was also applied in the analyses of alkaloids in several products including chewing gums, beverages, and tobaccos. This NACE-MS method was found to provide a better detection ability and separation resolution for the analysis of nicotine alkaloids when compared to other aqueous CE-MS reports.