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. 2015 Oct;17(10):1270-8.
doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntu279. Epub 2015 Jan 30.

Chemical Composition and Evaluation of Nicotine, Tobacco Alkaloids, pH, and Selected Flavors in E-Cigarette Cartridges and Refill Solutions

Joseph G Lisko  1 , Hang Tran  2 , Stephen B Stanfill  2 , Benjamin C Blount  2 , Clifford H Watson  2
Affiliations

Chemical Composition and Evaluation of Nicotine, Tobacco Alkaloids, pH, and Selected Flavors in E-Cigarette Cartridges and Refill Solutions

Joseph G Lisko et al. Nicotine Tob Res. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

Introduction: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasing dramatically in developed countries, but little is known about these rapidly evolving products. This study analyzed and evaluated the chemical composition including nicotine, tobacco alkaloids, pH, and flavors in 36 e-liquids brands from 4 manufacturers.

Methods: We determined the concentrations of nicotine, alkaloids, and select flavors and measured pH in solutions used in e-cigarettes. E-cigarette products were chosen based upon favorable consumer approval ratings from online review websites. Quantitative analyses were performed using strict quality assurance/quality control validated methods previously established by our lab for the measurement of nicotine, alkaloids, pH, and flavors.

Results: Three-quarters of the products contained lower measured nicotine levels than the stated label values (6%-42% by concentration). The pH for e-liquids ranged from 5.1-9.1. Minor tobacco alkaloids were found in all samples containing nicotine, and their relative concentrations varied widely among manufacturers. A number of common flavor compounds were analyzed in all e-liquids.

Conclusions: Free nicotine levels calculated from the measurement of pH correlated with total nicotine content. The direct correlation between the total nicotine concentration and pH suggests that the alkalinity of nicotine drives the pH of e-cigarette solutions. A higher percentage of nicotine exists in the more absorbable free form as total nicotine concentration increases. A number of products contained tobacco alkaloids at concentrations that exceed U.S. pharmacopeia limits for impurities in nicotine used in pharmaceutical and food products.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Measured nicotine concentrations were consistently lower than labeled amounts for all brands tested except eSmoke.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of measured nicotine and free base nicotine for commercial and synthetic e-juice indicate nicotine’s alkalinity drives pH and the subsequent free-nicotine (%) levels. A logarithmic fit was chosen based on the characteristics of the Henderson-Hasselbach equation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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