Solid phase microextraction of alkenylbenzenes and other flavor-related compounds from tobacco for analysis by selected ion monitoring gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Some constituents found in natural flavorings are known to exhibit toxic properties. We developed a rapid method for quantifying 12 flavor-related compounds in cigarette tobacco using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Using selected ion monitoring, we quantified and positively identified coumarin; pulegone; piperonal and nine alkenylbenzenes, including trans-anethole, safrole, methyleugenol and myristicin in one or more brands of cigarettes. In 62% of 68 brands analyzed, we detected one or more of the flavor-related compounds ranging from 0.0018 to 43 microg/g. Toxic properties of these flavor-related compounds may constitute an additional health risk related to cigarette smoking.