Simultaneous determination of non-volatile, semi-volatile, and volatile organic acids in tobacco by SIM-Scan mode GC-MS.

A method for simultaneous determination of seven nonvolatile organic acids (NVOAs), five semivolatile organic acids (SVOAs), and twelve volatile organic acids (VOAs) in tobacco by synchronous SIM (Selected Ion Monitoring)-scan mode GC-MS was developed. The collection of NVOAs and SVOAs data was performed in full-scan mode, and that of VOAs data was carried out with SIM. Recoveries of NVOAs and SVOAs varied from 90.0 to 103.0%, and RSDs were less than 4.0%; recoveries of VOAs ranged from 89.5 to 99.3%, and their RSDs were less than 3.0%. Twelve tobacco samples were analyzed by the described method, and the results show that the method is applicable for the simultaneous determination of VOAs, NVOAs, and SVOAs in tobacco.