A Microextraction Method for the Determination of Plasma Nicotine

Abstract

A microextraction method for the determination of plasma nicotine, which required only 100μl of sample, was described. Gas chromatographic technique was in accordance with the condition of previous reports. Recovery of nicotine in plasma was about 100% and reproducibility of the method was sufficient for practical use. Plasma nicotine level of 20 non-smokers was 4.6±2.08ng ml^-1 in average and its of 8 smokers before smoking was 14.8±10.74ng ml^-1. After smoking of one cigarette (nicotine content in smoke is 0.8mg a cigarette), nicotine level in plasma increased to maximum value at just behind after smoking (30.4±21.49ng ml^-1) and decreased rapidly to former value until 60 minutes after. Reagent blank value in this method was about 2-3ng ml^-1 as nicotine. This method is a profitable technique for a rapid deternination of plasma nicotine.